House Committee Hails Tinubu’s ‘Political Will’ to Revive Ajaokuta Steel, Vows to End Illegal Mining
The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Illegal Mining has strongly commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for showing the necessary “political will” to finally rejuvenate the long-dormant Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State.
Sanni Abdulraheem, the committee chairman, made the remarks on Wednesday during the panel’s inauguration, where he described the Ajaokuta Steel Company as a “glaring testament to the nation’s failure” to fully harness its mineral resources for years.
He celebrated the appointment of an “indigenous professional” to lead the revival, stating that the project is now “on track to fulfil its true promise” and is poised to become “an economic game-changer but a cornerstone for our industrialisation, job creation, and long-term economic growth.”
War on Illegal Mining
Abdulraheem simultaneously declared a mission to eradicate illegal mining, which he branded a “scourge” with devastating effects. He asserted that Nigeria loses approximately $9 billion annually due to the theft of its mineral resources.
The committee’s mission is clear: to “block these revenue leakages, enforce transparency, and ensure that every naira from our natural resources are properly accounted for.”
Beyond the financial losses, the lawmaker highlighted the grave security and environmental consequences of illegal mining, noting that these activities “fuel insecurity, but they also lead to the pollution of our waterways, the degradation of our forests, and the displacement of vulnerable communities.”
Abdulraheem pledged that
the committee would use its constitutional mandate of oversight to “rid the nation of the ‘cancer of illegal mining’.”
Supporting the legislative commitment, Attah Onoja, Commander of the Mining Marshals at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), reported significant progress against the crime. He confirmed that since the force began collaborating with the interior and solid minerals ministries, over 500 illegal miners have been arrested, with 270 of them currently facing trial.
