Nigeria Imports 95% of Barite Despite Local Content Laws - Miners

Nigerian miners have expressed deep concern over the country's heavy reliance on imported Barite for its oil and gas sector, despite having substantial local deposits.

This issue was brought to light by Patrick Odiegwu, the Secretary General of the Association of Miners and Processors, during a recent press conference in Abuja.

Odiegwu highlighted the alarming statistic that "95 percent of Barite used in Nigeria is imported," which starkly contrasts with the 2010 Local Content Act.

The Act mandates that 60 percent of such resources should be sourced locally. He described the situation as "shameful," especially considering that Nigeria has been producing crude oil in commercial quantities for over 50 years.

"The state and local governments where these minerals abound in their domain should sit up," Odiegwu urged. "Barite miners should not continue to harvest poverty in Nigeria."

This revelation comes at a time when the Nigerian government has announced increased fees and rates, aiming to tap into the $750 billion potential revenue from the mining sector.

However, this move has faced resistance from operators within the industry, who have appealed to the federal government to suspend these hikes.

The tension between policy goals and practical challenges in Nigeria's mining industry underscores the need for better resource utilization and supportive economic measures.

As Odiegwu pointed out, "Governments at all levels, especially the state and local governments, should do more to harness the opportunities in the Nigerian mining sector."