The Federal Government will speed up the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and other moribund steel plants across the country.
The National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development, in a communiqué at the end of a three-day maiden meeting of the NCMMRD in Abuja, said it had commenced an inventory of miners, active mining sites, processing companies, personnel and machinery to create an all-encompassing data bank for investors.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said his ministry would be forwarding the list of licence holders in every state of the federation to their respective state government on a quarterly basis, for proper documentation.
The meeting also agreed that there must be synergy among the Federal Government, states and local governments to ensure that Nigeria takes full advantage of its vast mineral deposits.
Other decisions of the Council included the establishment of a forum of Commissioners to be responsible for Mineral Resources Development.
This, according to them, will encourage constant feedback engagement with the Federal Government, to monitor progress on areas of agreement.
The Council said, “Current effort at (reviving) Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria should be invigorated and every effort should be made by Government to revive Moribund Steel Plants and promote private sector participation in Steel development.
“A private sector driven Single Export Window Policy is recommended. Modalities should be put in place at every exit point and ports in the country for Quantity and Quality analysis.
“This will monitor and record all mineral exports and ascertain appropriate royalties and certifications, including the installation of weigh bridges, credible international inspection outfits and the likes. This will also promptly address the mineral revenue leakage that occurs through the exit Ports.
“There should be synergy among federal, state governments and Local Government Areas through the instrumentality of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee as provided for by Section 19 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007. The committee should be strengthened where it already exists and those dormant in every state should be reactivated.
“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.”
According to the document, the curbing of illegal mining activities should be pursued continuously and existing framework to curb minerals smuggling should be activated by relevant agencies.
“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.
“Adequate capacity building, funding and logistics support should also be provided for the appropriate technical departments of the Ministry to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement in the mines fields,” it added.
