By Tanimu Salihu (Abuja)
The Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, says the current practice of mining in Nigeria has contributed largely to the insecurity confronting the nation.
The Deputy Speaker stated this in Abuja at a Public Policy Dialogue on Solid Minerals organized by the House Committee on Solid Minerals.
The Public Policy Dialogue brought together Policy Makers, experts and actors in the mining sector to deliberate on how to harness and improve the potential of the sector for the Socio-economic development of the country.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Kalu, affirmed that the nation’s mineral resources have remained untapped, said the tenth Assembly is working on legislation that if passed would transform the mining sector.
Mr Kalu explained that if the mining sector was properly harnessed, it would create millions of jobs to Nigerians as well as increase the nation’s GDP.
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, said to achieve the desired growth in the mining sector, there was a need to reform policies that had hindered the progress of the sector.
The Chairman House Committee on Solid Minerals, Mr. Gaza Jonathan, said the new legislation if passed would ensure five percent for host communities where mining takes place.
Mr. Gaza, urged stakeholders in the sector to work cohesively and leverage technology to develop the mining sector where more opportunities would be created for sustainable development.
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