Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has said that miners and operators in the sector owed the Federal Government more than N2 trillion.
During a meeting with licensed minerals holders and laterite/sand operators in Kaduna, yesterday, he stressed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is determined to halt the activities of illegal miners across the country.
Warning against the activities of illegal miners, Alake has said miners in Kaduna State alone were owing the Federal Government over N300 billion.
Alake pointed out that the government would not relent in its effort to take adequate measures against anyone caught in illegal mining across the state and the country in general.
He described illegal mining as a big crime that could not be accepted in the country.
Alake, who was represented by the Acting Zonal Mines Officer, Northwest Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Kutman Ali, urged the operators not to go to the field without a mining licence.
He directed those who collected their mining licence to report to the mines office in Kaduna to collect their permit.
“After collecting a licence, you must come to our office, so that you will be given what we call a permit to mobilise to the site. It is a letter that will introduce you to the state and local councils, as well communities through their traditional ruler, and security agencies to make carrying out mining activities easy for you,” he explained.
According to the minister, the purpose of the meeting was to explain his mission and vision on his plan for the mining sector, particularly miners and operators for 2024 and beyond.
He also explained that the meeting was to inform the participants of the importance of mining in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, noting that mining has become a top priority.
Alake called for the immediate revitalisation and resuscitation of the Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce (SMSTF), purposely created to control illegal mining and non-payment of royalties and other taxes to the government.
Chairman of Miners Association of Nigeria, Kaduna branch, Ado Dogo, represented by the Secretary, Kashim Hussaini, described the meeting as important and long overdue.
He said the interface between miners and the regulator is imperative because it would enable them to address some of the issues that concerned them for a lasting solution.
