From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The House Committee on Solid Minerals, has pledged to provide adequate fundings for Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, to strive in the industry.
The Chairman, Jonathan Gaza, made this promise when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
He commended the agency’s contribution to the national GDP, saying that more would have been achieved if they were adequately funded.
“So, that’s one of the reasons we started our oversight with the agencies, before meeting a parent regulator, who is a minister. Now, we’re going to make a very strong case for the MCO to make sure that funds are adequately provided for the MCO to thrive. So , I believe it is something that should be done.”
Gaza urged the agency to be proactive in its activities and prioritise the welfare of the staff to discourage illegalities and sharp practices in the sector.
“So, in order to discourage short, sharp practices in the system, it is very necessary that the staff and the environment are well incentivised.
“We will push strongly forward, very strongly before the Minister to make sure that MCO actually becomes an institution of utmost service delivery, not just ICT, which most of your wards are in, but equally in other areas.”
Speaking earlier, Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, NMCO, Mr. Simon Obadiah Nkom, stated that the agency was working tirelessly with the NEITI, EFCC, others to make sure the activities of the agency is transparently appreciated by the committee for its commitment to drive the growth of the sector.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the EFCC, DSS, NEITI and others to ensure that title holders are not into any fraudulent activities,” Nkom emphasized.
He, therefore, sought the support of the committee to improve the budget of the agency for a better running of the agency’s activities.
“A small collection for the agency will help in the running of its activities after generating over 40 percent of the sectorial revenue. Our budget is too low in terms of appropriation and we seek the committee’s support for improvement,” he said.