The Executive Council of the ECOWAS Federation of Chamber of Mines (ECEFCOM) has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his election as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), stating that Tinubu’s election to head ECOWAS is well deserved and has come at a time when the West African sub region needs his experience to address political and economic challenges bedeviling the region.
Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Sani Shehu who shared the goodwill in a congratulatory message made available to our correspondent in Abuja, on Monday, said the ECOWAS Chamber of Mines looks forward to working with President Bola Tinubu in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating, ‘We are confident that the cooperation we seek will be instrumental in turning around the economic fortunes of the West African sub region and the African continent by extension.’
Sani Shehu, who was President of the Miners Association of Nigeria expressed confidence in the ability of President Tinubu to turn around the economic fortunes of the West African sub region, saying that President Tinubu had distinguished himself as a leader capable of transforming the economic fortunes of Nigeria.
‘The ECOWAS Federation of Chamber of Mines (ECEFCOM) therefore welcomes Mr. Bola Tinubu’s leadership of ECOWAS with great enthusiasm,’ he said, adding. ‘Our expectations are positive and high, considering President Tinubu’s track record in leadership and industry.’
‘On our part at the ECOWAS Federation of Chamber of Mines, we have resolved to support and work with the ECOWAS under the Chairmanship of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu toward assisting him to overcome a number of challenges that are common in the mining sector of the sub region.’
Identifying some of the challenges, the ECEFCOM Chairman expressed concern that Chinese dominance of the mining/extractive industry of countries in the West African sub region has become a serious source of concern, ‘especially the very disturbing illegal mining operations of Chinese nationals in the sub region.’
Although the ECOWAS Chamber of Mines appreciates the contribution of the Chinese to the development of West African mining sector, we appeal to the Chairman of ECOWAS to intervene and address the problem in line with the provision of the charter establishing the organisation, he said.
He further said that in fairness to the Chinese, some of their nationals deserve commendation for efforts that have helped to advance the economic development of the region, but added that dissident Chinese nationals continue to engage in illegal mining operations which has become very destructive of the economy of the member nations of ECOWAS.
According to him, the illegal mining activities of the Chinese have been particularly worrisome and responsible for apprehension in some parts of Africa, adding that some local mining communities in the sub region have been at war with Chinese whom they accuse of destroying the environment through illegal mining operations.
We appeal to President Tinubu in his capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS, to use his good office and strength of experience to also address the challenges of cross border conflicts which arise in the sub region as a result of mineral theft.
‘Solid minerals do not recognize border and can be moved illegally from one country to another. The border communities sometimes tend to have some misunderstanding as a result of the illegal movement of solid mineral across the nations in the sub region,’ he said.
We therefore appeal to the newly elected Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, to initiate a value addition strategy on mineral for countries in the sub region, that would put an end to the exportation of raw, unprocessed mineral ores from ECOWAS member States. he appealed.
‘We further appeal to President Bola Tinubu in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS, to establish a win-win diplomatic relationship with industrial nations (like China, Europe and USA among others) toward encouraging countries in the West African sub region to establish a value addition and beneficiation centers and also mineral processing centers in WA countries that can process mineral to end users in the sub region,’ he added.
Sani said when this is done, the region will have additional income and create massive employment. stating that it would also facilitate technology transfer to the sub region.
The former President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) said ECOWAS Member States are rich in deposits of future minerals, which he said are instrumental in the scientific development of the world.
‘We therefore appeal to the newly elected Chairman of ECOWAS to encourage ECOWAS Member States to ensure the formulation of uniform policies regarding mineral export within the sub region.
‘This done, the challenges of illegal mineral export currently bedeviling the economy of countries will be addressed.
He explained that adopting a uniform policy will help to boost the economy of African countries and reduce mineral theft while helping to create jobs and wealth, improving the standard of living in the West African sub region.
