By Palma Ileye
Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, Honourable Jonathan Gbefwi has said that the National Assembly will help address critical challenges affecting Nigeria’s mining sector, especially issues around licensing consent.
Gbefwi gave this assurance during an oversight visit to the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, NMCO in Abuja.
He emphasized the need for clearer guidelines and strengthened oversight to prevent disputes and improve transparency within the sector.
“The issue of consent in our licensing process has generated numerous complaints, and we’re aware that poorly managed consent could lead to serious conflicts.
“Instances of overlapping licenses have already sparked tensions in some regions, and if left unchecked, this could escalate into law and order breakdowns. We must ensure that consent protocols are not only clear but are rigorously enforced to avoid these overlaps,” he said.
He cited a case where a license issued in Kaduna inadvertently extended into Nasarawa State due to unclear boundary designations, underscoring the necessity for a more robust licensing framework.
He proposed the establishment of NMCO Desk Officers in each State to verify land title authenticity directly with local and state land survey departments, which could help prevent future disputes and enhance inter-state collaboration.
Hon. Gbefwi also raised concerns about the prevalence of illegal mining despite NMCO’s significant licensing activities saying that it was alarming to see the number of licenses issued, yet illegal mining continues to thrive.
He attributed the persistence of illegal mining to inadequate funding, which limits NMCO’s enforcement capabilities.
He added, “It is of great concern that MCO being a very critical agency in the Nigerian mining ecosystem which had raised over N8 billion between 2023 and October 2024 would get an appropriation of N1 billion, it is unacceptable and must be checked.
“With the heart-gladdening revenue performance seen so so far on the part of the MCO, the agency would do much more with improved funding, more operation-friendly environment, and incentivised Staff.
“And one issue that is of great concern to us, for an agency so critical in this ecosystem to be getting an appropriation of 1 billion, and you are raising, as of October, over 8 billion, to me, is a aberration, and it is something that must be checked.
“I believe if better equipment are procured, with more training and with better supervision of even the mining licensing, you should be able to make much more than this. You don’t have to wait and just advertise for annual returns. You should equally be able to be proactive.
“But what is of utmost importance to me is the fact that when you have an agency that is in charge of such a sensitive issue and your staff are not well incentivised, it will bring about sharp practices within the ranks and files of your staff whereby you may have people getting licenses without even obtaining consent from anywhere. Your appropriation is too low, but you need more funds to do more and to be proactive.”
Speaking earlier, Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, NMCO, Engr. Simon Obadiah Nkom stated that the agency was working tirelessly with the NEITI, EFCC, others to make sure the activities of the agency is transparent appreciated the committee for its commitment to drive the growth of the sector.
Nkom said, “We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the EFCC, DSS, NEITI and others to ensure that title holders are not into any fraudulent activities.”
He therefore sought the support of the Committee to improve the budget of the agency for a better running of the agency’s activities.