The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has issued a stern warning to mining and quarry companies operating across Nigeria, threatening to recommend the revocation of their licences over illegal operations and continued disregard for legislative oversight.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi, who represents Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency in Nasarawa State, issued the warning during an investigative hearing into the compliance of mining companies with Nigerian laws and regulations.
Gbefwi specifically directed Arab Contractors and Omatek to produce all necessary documents authorizing their quarry activities or face immediate shutdown.
“It is unacceptable for any company to do business in Nigeria while ignoring the nation’s laws and refusing to honour the authority of the legislature,” Gbefwi said.
The lawmaker condemned what he described as widespread non-compliance among operators, revealing that many companies snubbed invitations to appear before the committee. He noted that this level of defiance shows a disturbing level of disregard for Nigerian institutions and laws.
According to Gbefwi, a recent oversight visit to several quarry sites within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) revealed multiple infractions, including a blatant failure to meet community development obligations. In many instances, he said, only low-level technical staff reside in Nigeria, while the top management largely foreign nationals, particularly from China remain abroad.
“We are not against foreign investment. What we will not accept is the exploitation of our people and our land, or the abandonment of promises made to host communities,” he said.
He also accused Arab Contractors of operating an illegal quarry site without obtaining the required approvals from regulatory authorities, adding that this is just one example of many such infractions uncovered by the committee.
Gbefwi warned that companies failing to regularize their operations or cooperate with the legislature could face the full weight of the law. He said the committee is considering not just recommending suspension of operational licences, but also total revocation for persistent offenders.
“Our laws are clear. If you want to do business in Nigeria, you must follow due process, respect the communities you operate in, and comply with national regulations,” he said firmly.
The committee’s actions form part of a broader push to sanitize Nigeria’s mining sector, ensure accountability, and protect the interests of host communities often left behind in the wake of resource exploitation.
