The House of Representatives has summoned the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Mining Cadastre Office to appear before it for an interactive session, following what lawmakers described as their continued lack of cooperation.
The directive was issued on Wednesday by Rep. Sanni Abdulraheem, Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering, during the committee’s sitting.
Abdulraheem expressed frustration over the “unfriendly attitude” displayed by the two agencies toward the committee’s oversight activities. He said their conduct had made it necessary to mandate an in-person appearance rather than allowing representatives or written submissions.
“In view of the unfriendly attitude of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Mining Cadastre Office, we resolved that the MDAs appear in person for further interaction,” he said.
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The lawmaker stressed that the committee’s work is central to addressing critical issues in the mining sector, including illegal mineral exploitation, insecurity around mining sites, and money-laundering concerns.
Abdulraheem reaffirmed the House’s commitment to promoting transparency, strengthening regulation, and ensuring that the solid minerals sector plays its expected role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
He warned the agencies against ignoring the summons, noting that the House expects full cooperation as part of its constitutional oversight responsibilities.
