Nigeria TV Info — House of Representatives Launches Ad Hoc Committee to Tackle Illegal Mining, Targeting $9 Billion Annual Loss

Abuja — The House of Representatives has inaugurated a special ad hoc committee to address the rising menace of illegal mining in Nigeria, with a mission to recover the estimated $9 billion lost annually to unregulated mining activities.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Sanni Abdulraheem, described illegal mining as a serious threat to national revenue, a driver of crime, and a major contributor to environmental degradation. Speaking at the inauguration, Abdulraheem emphasized that unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources had persisted for too long and posed a significant drain on the nation’s economy.

“Nigeria forfeits nearly $9 billion every year due to unlawful mining,” Abdulraheem stated. “One of our main goals is to seal the loopholes that allow for the loss of revenue through illegal mining and its related activities. These practices rob our country and stifle the development of lawful mining ventures that could boost our Internally Generated Revenue.”

The committee’s mandate includes preventing revenue losses, promoting transparency in the mining sector, and ensuring Nigeria’s mineral resources are harnessed to foster national economic progress. Abdulraheem stressed that all proceeds from the country’s abundant natural resources should be directed toward enhancing Nigeria’s economic wellbeing.

The ad hoc committee is expected to work closely with relevant government agencies, industry stakeholders, and security agencies to curb illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s mineral wealth for sustainable development.