Reps hold public hearings on 12 bills to enhance solid mineral development

In a bid to diversify Nigeria’s economy and open up other revenue sources, the House of Representatives is considering a dozen bills to develop the solid minerals sector.

Speaking at a public hearing on the 12 bills on Thursday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, RT Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, characterised the solid minerals sector as an essential catalyst for economic diversification, emphasising the necessity for Nigeria to reduce its reliance on oil earnings.

Represented by Hon. Mark Oseni (APC, Taraba), Hon. Tajudeen said the development of the solid minerals sector is not merely an option but a must for the country to establish a diversified, resilient, and inclusive economy.

According to the speaker, the public hearing offers a forum for vigorous public engagement and many viewpoints on legislation that would tackle the major challenges and opportunities within the solid minerals industry, encompassing legal frameworks, institutional reforms, finance systems, and human capital development.

According to a Premium Times report, the 12 bills under consideration are:

1. A bill for an act to repeal the Nigerian Coal Corporation Act, Cap. 95, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and enact the Nigeria Coal Development Commission Enugu and for related matters (HB.667).
2. A bill for an act to assure adequate funding for mineral resources exploration and extraction through public-private partnership (PPP) and for related matters (HB.289).
3. A bill for an act to establish Lithium Development Commission of Nigeria to provide a legal framework for the promotion of research study, investment, exploration, production of lithium, develop a vertically integrated lithium industry, create a roadmap for developing the infrastructure required by potential lithium mines in Nigeria, and design the regulatory framework governing the sector in Nigeria, and for related matters (HB.2137).
4. A bill for an act to establish the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Takum, Taraba State, to provide courses of instruction, training, and research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development, and for related matters (HB.2361).
5. A bill for an act to establish the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Ikoro, Ekiti State, to provide courses of instruction, training, and research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development, and for related matters (HB.2364)
6. A bill for an act to establish the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Garaku, Nasarawa State, to provide courses of instruction, training, and research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development, and for related matters.
7. A bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Mining Development Bank (NMDB) to provide financial support, promote investment, and foster sustainable development in the mining sector of Nigeria, and for related matters (HB.808)
8. A bill for an act to establish the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Akmpakpa, Cross River State, to provide courses of instruction, training, and research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development, and for related matters.
9. A bill for an act to establish the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Gusau, Zamfara State, to provide courses of instruction, training, and research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development, and for related matters.
10. A bill for an act to establish the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Umuahia, Abia State, to provide courses of instruction, training, and research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development, and for related matters.
11. A bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Solid Mineral Communities Development Commission and related matters.
12. Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.