House of Assembly alerts FG over gold mining health risks
House of Assembly alerts FG over gold mining health risks
The Niger State House of Assembly has raised fears over health risks linked to gold mining in the state, calling for immediate action.
Arewa PUNCH gathered that the House adopted a resolution to address the environmental and public health hazards linked to the illegal business which it said, poses dire danger to the wellbeing of the residents
The resolution was part of the outcome of a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji
The House adopted the motion sponsored by Hon. Nasir Umar, member representing Paikoro Constituency as a matter of urgent Public Importance and urged the Niger State Government to take urgent measures to mitigate the environmental and health consequences of gold ore crushing in mining communities.
The Head of Information and Public Relations Department of the Assembly, Ruqayyah Tanko made this information known to Arewa PUNCH in a statement wherein he said the state Assembly passed the resolution.
Umar, while presenting the motion stressed that because Niger State is richly endowed with solid minerals, particularly gold, the increasing practice of crushing gold-bearing rocks within residential communities without adequate environmental safeguards has become a major public health concern
Umar stated, “While Niger State is richly endowed with solid minerals, particularly gold, the increasing practice of crushing gold-bearing rocks within residential communities without adequate environmental safeguards has become a major public health concern.
“Scientific evidence indicates that prolonged exposure to silica-containing dust generated during excavation, crushing, washing and processing of gold ore can lead to serious respiratory illnesses, including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis-related complications and lung cancer.
“Children, the elderly and persons with pre-existing respiratory ailments are the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of mining dust and dust generated from mining operations contaminates food, drinking water, household items and farmlands, thereby exposing residents to continuous environmental pollution, increasing healthcare costs and reducing productivity and quality of life in affected communities.” Hon Umar maintained.
The lawmaker who called the attention of the House to Section 17 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), mandating the government to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of citizens urged the House to call on the relevant authorities to intervene without delay.
Members unanimously supported the motion, describing the environmental and health implications of unregulated mining activities as a growing concern requiring urgent government intervention.
While acknowledging that mining falls under the Exclusive Legislative List, the lawmakers insisted that the state government has a constitutional responsibility to protect the health and welfare of its citizens through environmental and public health measures.
The Speaker, Hon. Sarkin-Daji, in his remarks noted that although mining was under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government, the House was constitutionally empowered to advocate policies that would protect the lives and environment.
He pointed out that the motion did not seek to legislate on mining but rather called on the appropriate authorities to address the environmental and health consequences arising from mining activities.
The House unanimously adopted all the prayers contained in the motion, and urged the Ministries of Mineral Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Health and other relevant agencies to immediately conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and public health impacts of gold ore crushing activities across mining communities in the state.
It also called on the Executive Arm of Government to strengthen enforcement of environmental health regulations by ensuring the establishment of designated gold ore processing centres equipped with modern dust-suppression and pollution-control facilities located away from residential settlements.
Sarkin-Daji directed the Clerk of the House, Mallam Farouq Isah, to transmit the resolutions of the House to the Executive Arm of Government, with copies to the Ministries of Health and Mineral Resources for immediate action.
