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Treat licensed miners differently from bandits- LCCI urges FG

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has  stressed the need for the federal government to separate the wheat from the chaffs, by differentiating the activities of bandits from those operating mining businesses, legally.

Michael Olawale-Cole, LCCI President

The Chamber, in a statement issued by its Director General, Dr. Chinyere Almona, stated this while responding to the plans by the federal government to ban the use of motorcycles, and mining activities nationwide.

 

The business advocacy group noted that going ahead with the ban would have unintended consequences on the mining sector and the nation’s economy.

 

While acknowledging the need to fight terrorism and banditry, as intended with the proposed ban, the business advocacy group however argued that  it would be wrong on the part of the federal government to label all miners in the country as being  the sources of funds for  banditry and terrorism in the country.

 

The Chamber stated that the recent announcement had further validated to foreign and local investors the non-suitability of the nation’s mining sector for their investments.

 

It also added that  while implementing the ban would also put to risk mining projects across the country, being financed by existing local investors, with loan facilities, it would further damage the diversification plans of the federal government to pursue a non-oil exports-based economy.

 

“Duly licensed mining companies should be clearly differentiated and distanced from the activities of bandits and terrorists whom the National Security Council has based their proposal upon. We need to enforce all the necessary laws and policies to guarantee security of local and foreign investments in the solid minerals sector as well as ensure that investors get best returns on their investments,” the Chamber added.

 

The business advocacy group called on the federal government to empower the solid minerals and mining sector through the deployment of Geographic Information System (GIS), automation of application and processing of mining licenses, leases and permits all through a one-stop-shop platform, adding that  the Integrated Automation and Interactive Solid Minerals Portal (IAISMP) should be made to serve as a go-to portal for real time information on the sector.

 

“We cannot afford to jeopardize the fortunes of mining in Nigeria with a blanket ban on mining activities when we should be able to isolate illegal miners and demobilize criminals from mining sites. We urge the government to reconsider ways to demobilize criminal activities from mining sites and create a safe environment where mining can thrive,” it argued.