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The Federal Government has disclosed plans to hold a crucial strategic retreat to address grey Areas between the federal government and States on managing challenges of the Mining Sector.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake made this disclosure in an interactive discussion between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.
The Minister who also receive the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Rada in his office reiterated that solid minerals belong to the exclusive list, Alake urged states to seek the approval of the federal government before making policy pronouncements on mining activities.
“If a state notices that an operator is conducting his operations against laid down procedures or regulations, we must be notified. Once we are notified, even if the state wants to take action, we give them our blessing, “Alake added.
In his response, Governor Umar Rada commend the minister for his efforts to reposition the mining sector, expressing the state’s readiness to partner with the federal government to harness its mineral resources for the benefit of the state and the nation as a whole.
He also raised concerns about security challenges in the state, linking them to poverty, injustice, and illegal mining activities.
Alake however assured the governor of the federal government’s support in tackling illegal mining with the newly established Mining Marshals highlighting the importance of the revised Community Development Agreement guidelines, which require consent letters from host communities before granting mining licenses.
He encouraged Katsina to follow the example of other states that have successfully applied for mining licenses to operate as limited liability companies, promising swift processing of such applications.
