The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, on Thursday said the Federal Government was yet to recover over N2 trillion debt from miners in the industry.
The minister made this disclosure during his meeting with Licensed Minerals Holders and Laterite/Sand Operators Dealers in Kaduna State.
Alake, who was represented at the meeting by the Acting Zonal Mines Officer, North-West Zonal Office, Kutman Ali, maintained that the current administration was committed to frontally tackling illegal mining activities in the country.
The minister said: “Miners and Operators owed the federal government more than N2 trillion while in Kaduna State, it’s over N300 billion. We have made it very clear that in Kaduna State, every operator should make bold steps and clear their debt.”
According to him, the purpose of the meeting is to properly inform the miners the government’s plans for the mining sector in 2024 and beyond.
While harping on the importance of reenergizing the Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce (SMSTF) to combat illegal mining and secure the punctual payment of royalties and taxes in the solid minerals industry, Alake outlined the structure of the SMSTF, which comprised representatives from the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence Corps, DSS, EFCC, and the Nigeria Immigration Service. Mines Officers are designated to lead operations at the state level.
He expatiated: “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
“Any state government or any local government that collects money in the name of Royalty or Mineral Tax will be deducted from the source allocated to the State.
“The Special Mines Taskforce has been activated in Kaduna State and they had commenced operation on the war against illegal Mining and nonpayment of royalties which must be paid monthly as well as other taxes to the Government of Nigeria,” Alake added.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State, Ado Dogo, commended the minister for enhancing communication between miners and regulators to tackle existing challenges.
He, however, rued the interference by some state governors in mining activities and urged the minister to intervene in order to ensure adherence to constitutional jurisdictions.
