Miners and operators owe FG over N2trn — Minister Dele Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has said miners and operators in the sector owed the federal government more than N2 trillion in revenue.

He also said the current administration of President Bola Tinubu was determined to halt the activities of illegal miners across the country.

Alake, who stated these at a meeting with licensed minerals holders, laterite/sand operators dealers in Kaduna yesterday, described the activities of illegal miners as a huge crime against Nigeria and Nigerians he described as unacceptable.

He said:  “Miners and operators owed the federal government more than N2 trillion.  In  Kaduna State, it’s over N300 billion.

“We have made it very clear that in Kaduna State, every operator should make bold steps and clear their debt.”

Alake, who was represented by the Acting Zonal Mines Officer, North-West Zonal Office, Kutman Hosea Ali, directed the special mines taskforce activated in Kaduna State to clamp down on illegal miners and nonpayment of royalties which must be paid monthly as well as other taxes to the Federal Government.

The Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce is composed of members from the Nigeria Army, Police, Civil Defence Corp, Department of State Security Services, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Nigeria Immigration Service while the team is headed by Mines officers in the state.

He also faulted the non-remittance of money collected as royalties and taxes on mineral resources to the federal government, warning that defaulting states would henceforth be penalised.