The Nigerian Senate has accused the Federal Government of adopting double standards in its handling of illegal activities in the country, ruthlessly tackling illegal oil bunkering while showing leniency towards illegal mining operations.

This allegation was made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, during the budget report presentation by Senator Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, to the Senate Committee on Appropriation.

GALAXY TV reports that Oshiomhole expressed frustration over the government’s inadequate response to illegal mining, warning that the nation’s efforts to diversify its economy would remain a mirage unless the issue was addressed decisively.

In his report, Senator Ekong stressed the importance of investing heavily in the solid minerals sector, just as he proposed an increase in the ministry’s capital budget to N539 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.

He described the N9 billion initially allocated as grossly inadequate noting that despite limited funding in the previous year, the ministry generated N37 billion in revenue.

The senators agreed on the need for urgent action, with Oshiomhole insisting that the government must address the role of influential individuals, including retired generals, who are allegedly complicit in illegal mining operations.

In a related development, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army, called for the removal of the military from the envelope budgeting system. He argued that the Nigerian Army’s expansion and modernization efforts were being hindered by significant budget shortfalls.