…Holds maiden meeting with miners
Imo state Commissioner For Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Rt. Hon Ernest Ibejiako (Nwandaa), has disclosed moves to restore sanity and surmount the present challenges facing the mining sector in the state.
Hon Ibejiako, made the disclosure during a maiden stakeholders meeting with miners in Imo.
The commissioner noted that his desire is to accomplish an enviable milestone while in office.
He said that the Federal Government and the 3R government of Governor Hope Uzodinma have respective roles to play, in order to wipe out the challenges facing the mining sector.
A communique issued by the Ministry after the meeting informed that the Ministry needs cooperation from all Mining stakeholders.
The Commissioner, expressed dismay over conflicts among the stakeholders and agents of the ministry in the collection of revenues.
He reiterated that the state government reserves the rights to collect revenues for environmental sustainability.
All stakeholders he advised must adhere to mining rules and regulations,adding that miners must adhere to laws and regulations guiding the industry from both the federal and state governments.
The rules the communique notes include, obtaining the relevant license and permits , avoid illegal mining and payment of the accurate revenues.
The Commissioner noted that his ministry is considering relocating miners whose activities are affecting the ecological systems.
He stated that despite Governor Uzodinma’s instructions for the closure of some mining sites , that mining operators are still going on these affected areas , thereby disobeying the governor.
He noted that his ministry will soon commence the enforcement, to fish out defaulters and punish them according to law . The Commissioner expressed dismay that miners have refused to pay the applicable revenues, adding that the act will no longer be accepted.
The ministry, he explained will carry out a full appraisal of the revenue collectors and defaulters will face consequences.
Ibejiako made it clear that his ministry is determined to audit the collectors of government revenues as well as miners’ revenue payment profiles.
Such transparency will help the ministry to fish out those cheating the government and also help government carry out audit that will help fix the system for improved revenue yields to the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
He harped on the need to curtail proliferation of the Mining routes and said his ministry has noticed the creation of many channels and networks at mining sites which degrades the ecology and environment.
He disclosed that his ministry will close many of such roads channels, as well as limit them to the necessary and important routes that are serviceable to both miners and tipper drivers.
The commissioner encouraged the miners and stakeholders to ensure they cooperate with the Ministry, to function effectively, assuring them of support and assistance in their mining business.
Responding, the state chairman of Miners, Prince Ugochukwu Onyenwenwa, thanked the Commissioner for his good desires, steadfastness and selfless services towards the miners.
He pledged on behalf his members to continue to support the ministry.
The communique was later signed by the stakeholders of all miners and Solid Minerals.
