THE state of Nigeria’s management of its solid minerals is to say the least disgraceful and this should worry our leaders on several scores. There is huge loss of revenue as well as loss of lives from the inexplicable neglect of the sector.

Why is government averse to developing solid minerals? Why is government determined to run an economy based solely on oil? Where are the fulfilments of the pledges to provide for Nigerians, protect our lives and property?

Nigeria can earn billions of dollars annually from the 34 solid minerals that have been identified as being available in commercial quantity. Some of them, especially gold and tantalite are being mined illegally with devastating consequences to the people in the areas where the minerals are found.

Deaths from illegal mining is on the increase, particularly in places like Zamfara, where lead poisoning from illegal mining caused the death of hundreds of Nigerians, most of them children.

A United Nations emergency team that investigated the deaths in Zamfara State last year in its report said over 200 children had been killed and more than 8,000 people affected by the high level of lead poisoning in the state. The report also said mercury levels in the air in the affected areas were nearly 500 times the acceptable limit.

Lead poisoning is related to illegal miners processing of lead-rich ore to extract gold. Deaths result from leakage of lead ore from illegal gold mining pits to water sources. Children are at more risk because their systems are not fully developed. They contacted the lead though inhaling, eating compromised food, drinking water from poisoned sources or from touching mining equipment.

Exposure to high levels of lead can damage the brain and nervous system. It causes reproductive problems and high blood pressure. Over-exposure to lead causes seizures, comas and death, if not detected on time.

The lead, separated from the gold during mining, contaminate the local water supplies. The major fear remains that the deaths could continue unless the villagers have safe water supplies. They do not have other water sources.

Governments’ poor understanding of its responsibilities to the people is clear in this case. People are dying, but the illegal mining continues. Announcements banning illegal mining are made as if they stop the mining. The miners are not prosecuted. How does government want to arrest the situation?

Security agencies are busy chasing petty thieves. The owners of these illegal mines, whose illegality causes the deaths of hundreds and leaves the future of other impaired, are getting away with their loot because governments do not care.

Some of the 34 minerals in Nigeria can be used for power generation and in space technology. The other attractions include job creation. If government gets more investors into the formal mining sector, it could stop these deaths and the despoliation of the environment.

Why is government disinterested in these solid minerals, which thieves have assigned to themselves, littering the land with diseases and deaths? President Goodluck Jonathan during his visit to Australia spoke of investments in the sector. We hope things would progress beyond the words that have been used in attending to the sector for ages.