Nigerian Coal Development Commission Bill Passes Second Reading in House of Representatives

A bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Coal Development Commission (NCDC) has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill, which was initiated by Rep Chimaobi Atu, aims to repeal the Nigerian Coal Corporation Act and enact the NCDC Act to revive the country’s moribund coal industry.

During the debate on the general principles of the bill, Rep Atu emphasized the urgent need to revive the coal industry in Nigeria to cater to the shortfall in energy sources needed for industrial purposes.

He also highlighted the need to provide more effective management in the nation’s coal industry, as the old law had become outdated.

The Nigerian Coal Corporation Act was originally enacted in 1950 to provide for the establishment of the Nigerian Coal Corporation and the transfer of all colliery undertakings of the government to the corporation. However, the corporation became moribund over time.

The NCDC, once established, will be responsible for coordinating all activities connected with mining, exploration, development, and utilization of coal in Nigeria.

The Commission will also explore the use of coal in the production of solar cells and other products and ensure sufficient production of coal for the generation of electricity and steel development.

Recent studies have shown that Enugu, Kogi, and Benue states have an estimated 2.8 billion metric tons of coal deposits made of bituminous coal, which is highly needed in the iron and steel industry.

Rep Atu acknowledged the climate change issues surrounding coal mining but assured Nigerians and the world that all environmental and health concerns would be addressed in the bill.

He emphasized that the economic survival of the country was key and that the focus would be on electricity generation and supporting the country’s industries.

The bill is expected to be passed into law in the near future, which would pave the way for the revival of the Nigerian coal industry and contribute to the country’s energy needs and economic growth.