The National Council on Mining and mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD) has called for a synergy between the Federal Government, states and local governments to ensure that the country takes full advantage of its vast mineral deposits.
In a communique issued in Abuja after a three-day meeting, the council averred “There should be synergy between the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the state governments to improve operational collaboration and enhance communication for effective execution of the roadmap for the growth and development of the mining industry.
In issuance of the certificate of origin, the Federal and State Governments should collaborate through MIREMCO in analyzing and tagging of minerals at source with a view of determining appropriate royalties.”
It further called on the Federal Government to urgently compile a nationwide inventory of miners, active mining sites, processing companies, personnel and machinery in order to create an all-encompassing data bank to be used in advising potential investors and for investment planning.
Also, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is to start forwarding the list of license holders in every state of the Federation to their respective state governments on a quarterly basis for proper documentation.
The communique noted that “Adequate capacity building, funding and logistics support should be provided for the appropriate technical departments of the ministry to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement in the minefields.
Improved data collation and recording of Minerals production should be emphasized. This implies that the target set in the Roadmap for 2025 to contribute 3% to the GDP could be surpassed. The curbing of illegal mining activities should be pursued continuously and existing framework to curb minerals smuggling should be activated by relevant agencies.”
It remarked that “Existing audit and control mechanisms for monitoring of mineral exports to curb under-declaration of mineral exports should be strengthened. The repatriation of proceeds, royalties and taxes accruing from exported minerals through the appropriate government procedures and channels should be vigorously pursued.
Concrete effort should be made by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), the Federal Ministry of Environment and State Ministries of Environment on issuance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.”
Another decision was the establishment of a Forum of Commissioners responsible for Mineral Resources Development to encourage constant feedback engagement with the Federal Government and to monitor progress on areas that have been agreed.
Meanwhile, the Council has enjoined the Federal Government to speed up the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd and Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot Abasi as well as several moribund steel plants scattered across the country to grow the country’s steel sector and promote private sector participation in Steel development.
The NCMMRD’s inaugural meeting presided by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi was attended by commissioners and permanent secretaries of Minerals and Mining ministries in the 36 states from September 12 and 14 in Abuja.
