Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have voiced concerns that the Federal Government’s acquisition of a N2.5 billion satellite gadget to combat illegal mining will be ineffective without a strong demonstration of political will to hold perpetrators accountable. In separate interviews, stakeholders emphasised that technology alone cannot solve the deeply entrenched problem.
The government’s move to procure the satellite technology, designed to provide real-time monitoring of mining operations, was lauded as a step in the right direction. However, CSOs questioned the integrity of those who would manage the data, expressing fears that powerful individuals involved in illegal mining might evade justice.
“We may need satellite technologies to pinpoint where natural resources are found and their depth in the earth and what’s going on there. But it is still people in government who manage information that will be obtained from the satellite that may be involved in protecting illegal mining operations,” said Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI).
Abdullahi Jabi, Chairman, North Central Zone, Campaign for Democracy, Human Rights Advocacy, and Civil Society of Nigeria, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for increased public awareness campaigns and stricter penalties for offenders. He also called for traditional rulers and community leaders to be held responsible for illegal mining activities within their domains.
The CSOs collectively emphasised the importance of:
- Transparent data management: Ensuring that those handling satellite data are carefully selected to prevent corruption and protect the integrity of the information.
- Public awareness: Launching nationwide campaigns to educate the public about the detrimental effects of illegal mining.
- Enforcement of penalties: Implementing strict punishments for those caught engaging in illegal mining activities.
- Community accountability: Holding traditional rulers and community leaders accountable for illegal mining in their domains.
- Security agency support: Strengthening the role of security agencies in combating illegal mining.
- Sector reform: Sanitising the mining sector and creating wealth through the formalisation of the informal sector.
The stakeholders concluded that while technology can play a crucial role, only a concerted effort driven by genuine political will can effectively curb the menace of illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s natural resources.
Credit: NAN (Text Excluding Headline)
