The Nasarawa State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed the mining bill that provides for the regulation and control of the issuance of land consent and community agreements to mining entities by communities.
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Speaker, Dr Danladi Jatau, who announced the passage of the bill during the assembly plenary, said that the law would boost mining activities.
Jatau said that when assented to, the law would address the challenges of illegal mining in the state.
The speaker highlighted some aspects of the law to include the penalties for breach or non-compliance with any provisions of the law.
“For corporate mining, entities/companies shall pay a fine of the sum of N10 million or a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years imprisonment.
“Any individual or person shall pay a fine of the sum of N5 million or a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years imprisonment.
“Any group of persons or individuals shall each pay a fine of the sum of N5 million or a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years imprisonment,” he said.
The speaker also said that the bill mandates the creation of a Community Development Fund (CDF) to promote the sustainable welfare of the mining communities through the provision of infrastructural projects and social services.
“Mining entities/companies shall contribute 5 per cent of their annual revenue to the CDF. Fifty per cent of the funds in the CDF Account are to be utilised for cash payment to the benefitting community, whereas 50 per cent is to be directed towards project financing,” he said.
The speaker directed the clerk of the house to produce a clean copy of the bill for the governor’s assent.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House, Suleiman Azara moved a motion for the bill to scale the third reading; Luka Zhekaba, the Minority Leader, seconded the motion.
NAN
