ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar Opens In Sierra-Leone With Illegal Mining Tops On Agenda
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament have been asked to strengthen laws and policies guiding mining in the West African region to curb the activities of illegal miners.
President Julius Maada Bio, of the Republic of Sierra-Leone who made the call at the 2024 first Parliamentary seminar, holding at Freetown International Conference Centre, declared the 3-day seminar open.
The seminar, which marks the end of the tenure of Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sidie Mohammed Tunis, brought together parliamentarians, government officials, experts, and civil society organizations to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the mining sector in West Africa.
Illegal mining is a major problem in many parts of West Africa.
In Nigeria, nearly 80% of mining in Northwest of the country is being carried out illegally, which has increased conflict in the region since 2014.
Even though Africa has about 30% of the world’s natural resources, data from the World Bank, indications show that a significant number of its population is multidimensionally poor bringing to reality the paradox, suffering amid plenty in the continent especially, West Africa.
President Maada Bio dwelt on the economic potential of the mining industry in the sub-region and how much illegal mining and trafficking of natural resources, has impacted the region and urged members of the Parliament to work in tandem with other sectors to realise the potential of the sector
A representative of the President of Gambia, Abdoulaye Diop, who lent his voice to the adverse effect of illegal mining in the region, noted that the activities of illegal miners have fuelled insecurity in areas rich with natural resources.
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr. Tunis, in his welcome speech, noted that the threat of illegal mining in the ECOWAS Region has far-reaching implications on the security, socio-economy and environmental fabrics of the Region.
He said, despite the potential of the mining sector to positively impact the lives of community citizens, the complex interplay of security, social-economic dividends, environmental impact on the soil and waters, have emerged as pressing concerns that demand immediate investigation and need for sustainable solutions.