By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
The Niger State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to take urgent steps to address the environmental and public health hazards associated with gold ore crushing in mining communities.
The Assembly also advocated the establishment of agricultural processing hubs to reduce post-harvest losses and boost value addition across the state.
The resolutions were adopted during Tuesday’s plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji.
The House’s intervention on mining activities followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by the member representing Paikoro Constituency, Hon. Pharm. Nasir Umar, who expressed concern over the increasing practice of crushing gold-bearing rocks within residential areas without adequate environmental safeguards.
According to the lawmaker, scientific studies have linked prolonged exposure to silica-containing dust generated during mining and ore processing activities to serious respiratory diseases, including silicosis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis-related complications and lung cancer.
He however warned that children, elderly persons and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of mining dust, adding that the pollution also contaminates food, water sources, household items and farmlands.
Following deliberations, lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion and urged the Ministries of Mineral Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Health, and other relevant agencies to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and public health impacts of gold ore crushing activities in mining communities across the state.
The Assembly also called on the Executive Arm of Government to strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations by establishing designated gold ore processing centres equipped with modern dust-suppression and pollution-control facilities located away from residential areas.
Speaking on the motion, Speaker Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji noted that although mining falls under the exclusive legislative jurisdiction of the Federal Government, the state has a responsibility to protect the health and welfare of its citizens through appropriate environmental and public health interventions.
Meanwhile, the Assembly also urged the state government to establish agricultural processing hubs in major farming zones to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance agricultural productivity.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Gbako Constituency, Hon. Yahaya Abubakar Ahmadu, who noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Niger State’s economy and a major source of livelihood for its residents.
He expressed concern over the huge losses suffered annually by farmers due to inadequate storage, preservation, processing and marketing facilities, saying the situation continues to reduce farmers’ incomes and discourage investment in the sector.
According to him, the establishment of modern processing hubs would provide storage, preservation, processing and packaging facilities, improve value addition, attract private investment, create jobs and increase the state’s internally generated revenue.
Lawmakers unanimously supported the proposal and urged the government to implement it as part of efforts to strengthen the agricultural value chain and promote sustainable economic development.
In a related development, the House passed two Executive Bills for Second Reading. They include a Bill to establish the Niger State Urban Development Board and another seeking amendments to the Niger State Traffic Management Agency Law, 2021.
The bills were subsequently referred to the relevant House committees .
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