FLASH POINT

By Aminu Kaduna

Federal government says it will not relent to take adequate measures against any one caught engaged in illegal Mining across the country, described it as huge crime that cannot be accepted.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake stated this during a meeting with licensed Minerals holders, Laterite /Sand operators dealers in Kaduna State.

Dr Alake represented by the Acting Zonal Mines Officer, North West Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr Kutman Hosea Ali urged Mining Operators not to go to the field without Mining license.

He said those that collected their Mining licence should report to the Mines Office in Kaduna to collect Permit to Mobilize.

“After collecting a license, you must come to our office so that you will be giving what we call Permit to Mobilize to Site, Permit to Mobilize to Site is a letter that will introduce you to the State and local Governments as well Communities through their Traditional Ruler, Security Agencies to carrying out mining activities easy for you”

Dr Alake noted that, Miners and Operators across the country are owing federal government accumulated debt of more than two trillion naira while in Kaduna State is over three hundred billion naira.

“We have made it very clear that, in Kaduna State, every operator should make bold step and clear their debt”

“the purpose of the meeting is to explain the mission and vision of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake on his plan for the Mining Sector particularly Miners and Operators for 2024 and beyond.

Dr Alake also explained that, the meeting was also to inform the participants,the importance of mining in the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nothing that, mining has became a top priority.

“Immediately after the Minister took over, he directed the immediate revitalization and resuscitation of Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce (SMSTF) which is a Taskforce that was purposely created to control illegal Mining and non payment of Royalties and other taxs to the Government of Nigeria”

He pointed out that, Special Mines Taskforce has been activated in Kaduna State and they had commenced operation on the war against illegal Mining and non payment of Royalties which must be paid on monthly basis as well as other taxes to the Government of Nigeria.

According to him, the Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce is a Taskforce that is made-up of members from the Nigeria Army, Police, Civil Defence Corp, Department of State Security Services, EFCC, Nigeria Immigration while the team is headed by Mines officers in the State.

He told Miners that, the Federal Executive Council during one of its meeting last year, approved that henceforth, any state Government or any local Government that collect money in the name of Royalty or Mineral Tax will be deducted from source allocated to the State.

“So mining Companies are advice that if they have such complaints they should write it an bring it to nearest Mines office so that we can put it down and draw the attention of that State Government or local Government”

According to him, mining is on the Exclusive as such is only control by the Federal government while the State and local Governments are not allow to collect royalty or any tax on mining.

“Let me clarify it, State Government and local Government are entitled to collect other taxes such as ground rent and other taxes but they are not to collect royalty and tax on mining “

In a remark, the Chairman of Miners association of Nigeria, Kaduna branch, Mr Ado Dogo represented by the Secretary of the Association, Engineer Kashim Yusuf Hussaini described the meeting as important and is long overdue.

He said interface between Miners and the regulators is imperative because it would enable them to address some of the issues that concerned them for lasting solution.

Mr Dogo revealed that, they have challanges in all States of the federation, stressing that, State Governors are seriously interfering with mining activities which is not suppose to be so.

He emphasized the need for State Governors to respect the law guiding mining activities, saying that, everyone should respect it jurisdiction as spell out by the constitution.

“We as miners, we know, we are operating within a State, local Government and even down to villages but some times, State Governor they can stop you from working, meanwhile this mining work operation is what we are doing by contributing to the federation account”

Mr Ado Dogo called on the Minister of Solid Minerals Development to have an understanding with state governors with a view to stop interfering with mining activities in their states.

Earlier, Engineer Tanimu Badamasi Abubakar, a Former General Manager of Kaduna State Public Works Agency KAPWA decried the multiple collection of mining taxes from both Federal and State Governments.

He stressed need for state governors to waiver ground rent which according to him, will enable more investors to come to the Mining Sector.

Also contributing Alhaji Muhalli also decried the interference of NIWA on Sand lifting, mining and appeal for the Ministry’s intervention.

Responding The Zonal Mines Officer, Engr Kutman inform the gathering that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has secured a judgement against NIWA, reaffirming that Sand or any solid minerals inside or under inland waterways or seas is under the control of Ministry of Solid Minerals Development”