Kaduna miners, operators owing FG N300bn —  Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, has disclosed that miners and operators in Kaduna State are owing the federal government debt of N300 billion.

He stated that the federal government will not relent to take adequate measures against any one caught engaged in illegal miningacross the state and country.

Alake noted that illegal mining is a big  crime that cannot be accepted.

The minister stated this during a meeting with licensed minerals holders, Laterite/Sand operators dealers in Kaduna State on Thursday.

Represented by the acting zonal mines officer, North West Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr Kutman Hosea Ali, the minister urged the mining operators not to go to the field without a mining license.

He said those who collected their mining licence should report to the mines office in Kaduna to collect their permit.

“After collecting a license, you must come to our office so that you will be given what we call a 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 make carrying out mining activities easy for you.”

Alake noted that miners and operators across the country owe the 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.”

Alake also explained that the meeting was also to inform the participants of the importance of  mining in the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that mining has become a top  priority.

The minister directed for 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 taxes to the government of Nigeria 

He pointed out that the Special Mines Taskforce has been activated in Kaduna State and they have commenced operations 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 meetings last year, approved that henceforth, any state government or any local government that collects money in the name of Royalty or Mineral Tax will be deducted from source allocated to the state.

“So mining companies are advised that if they have such complaints they should write it and 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 list, as such is only controlled by the federal government while the state and local Governments are not allowed 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 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 a lasting solution.

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

He emphasized the need for state governors to respect the law guiding mining activities, saying that everyone should respect its jurisdiction as spelled out by the constitution.

“We as miners, we know, we are operating within a State, local Government and even down to villages but sometimes, State Governors 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 the need for state governors to waive ground rent which, according to him, will enable more investors to come to the 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 informed 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 the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.