The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development has announced plans to collaborate with the governments of Enugu and Ebonyi States in a strategic move to harness the vast solid mineral resources in the two states.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ekong Sampson, made this known during an oversight visit to mining sites in both states. The delegation also paid courtesy visits to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
Speaking in Enugu, Senator Sampson said the visits were part of a nationwide tour mandated by the Senate to assess the state of mining operations and deepen policy development in the sector.
“We are here to compare notes, visit mining sites, and form a welter of recommendations for the Senate. The solid minerals sector is one that clearly has the potential to drive the Nigerian economy,” he said.
He emphasised the urgency of diversifying the economy beyond oil, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is prioritising the sector with a proposed allocation of N1 trillion in the 2025 budget.
Sampson called for a collaborative approach to fully exploit the potential of the mining sector. “No level of government can go it alone. The centre must work with states, and states with the local communities,” he stated.
Governor Peter Mbah, in his remarks, described the committee’s visit as timely and strategic. He said the solid minerals sector represents a major opportunity for economic diversification and called for a more inclusive regulatory framework.
“I believe we are suffering from the tragedy of the commons. There’s no other sector with as much untapped potential,” Mbah said, stressing the importance of involving state governments in the ongoing review of the Mining Act.
He also pointed out the challenges posed by unreliable data, noting that outdated or insufficient geological data hampers investment and exploration efforts.
In Ebonyi State, Deputy Governor Princess Patricia Obila, who received the delegation on behalf of Governor Nwifuru, reaffirmed the state’s readiness to partner with the federal government and the Senate to unlock the mineral wealth in the state.
“We are highly determined and committed to synergy. When these resources are fully tapped, it will boost our internally generated revenue and also benefit the federal government through royalties,” she stated.
The Senate delegation included Vice Chairman of the committee, Kabeeb Mustapha; Deputy Senate Majority Whip, Onyekachi Nwebonyi; and Senators Anthony Ani, Kelvin Chukwu, Diket Plang, and Okechukwu Ezea.
