The Senate Committee Meeting on Solid Minerals Development was held on Monday, October 16, 2023. The meeting, led by Senator Osita Ngwu, Chairman of the Committee, including Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, Senator Benson Friday Konbowei, and Senator Garba Musa Maidoki.
The session commenced with a prayer and words of commendation from the chairman, emphasizing the importance of the 2007 act for the committee's future deliberations.
Senator Friday Konbowei of Bayelsa Central outlined the necessity of a comprehensive work plan, while Senator Mustapha Khabeeb stressed the potential for employment generation through the development of the solid minerals sector.
During the discussions, Senator Ngwu highlighted the importance of flexibility in the committee's work plan and the inclusion of additional stakeholders for a more comprehensive approach.
The committee actively addressed various concerns, including engaging the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and seeking assistance from the Chinese Embassy to tackle illegal exploration. They also emphasized the need for domestic refining of extracted minerals and the improvement of laboratory facilities for better assessment.
As the meeting drew to a close, the senators emphasized the significance of negotiating with state governments and traditional leaders for effective resource management. They also underlined the necessity of simplifying laboratory procedures and streamlining the sample testing process. The meeting concluded with a motion for adjournment, proposed by Senator Konbowei and seconded by Senator Maidoki.