LAGOS – The Federal Government has increased the rates and charges for all activities in the mining sector to increase the level of services, improve transaction traffic, and develop infrastructure.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, who disclosed this in Abuja, expressed concerns over non-remittance by some operators.
Alake said that mining operators in the industry were making huge amounts of money, but refused to remit appropriate taxes to the Federal Government.
According to him, “Today, we are taking a major step in the efforts to implement the seven-point agenda.
“This is to position the sector for economic consolidation by announcing a new regime of rates and charges for various services of the department and agencies of the ministry.’’
The minister said the development was in view of the introduction of qualitative measures being implemented in recent times.
He added that it would raise the level of services, improve transaction traffic, and develop infrastructure.
“For instance, we supervised the successful implementation and conclusion of the mineral sector support for economic diversification mind diver project.’’
He said the mining sector involved the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO) – the agency responsible for licensing which acquired the new mining information system, Electronic Mining Cadastre System, EMC+ portal.
“This enables 24 hours application and administration system that accelerated the rate of application and access of app24-hourlicants to MCO, adding that the system had improved transparency.
Alake said the system would also encourage more interest and boost participation in the sector; thereby giving stakeholders the confidence to invest in the sector.
He said that the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) had acquired an integrated base data accessible by the public.
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