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Governors annex Nigerian govt’s power on mining with parallel laws, levies –Osinbajo

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday, accused states and host communities of imposing illegal taxes on mining companies in the country.

Osinbajo, who spoke at the maiden edition of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development’s strategic engagement on sustainable mining with state governors and other critical stakeholders in Abuja, said the governors have usurped the power of the Federal Government on the regulation of mining activities in Nigeria.

He said it would take collaborative efforts by the federal government, state governors, and host communities to revive the country’s mining sector.

The Vice President listed Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Anambra, and Ebonyi as some of the states that are currently engaging in the illegal imposition of levies on miners.

READ ALSO:Nigeria needs proactive leaders to unite citizens – Osinbajo
He said: “It has been observed that some state governments have continued to interfere and usurp the powers of the Federal Government and the statutory powers of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development by enacting parallel mining laws, imposing taxes and royalties on miners as well as other levies and sanctions on existing licensed mining companies leading to multiple taxation and hardship.

“This puts legal operators in the sector in a state of dilemma over which of the laws to comply with and has led to huge revenue loss. State governments noted for this include Anambra, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa and Ogun.

 “Others are copying very fast. Issues such as Illegal introduction and enforcement of outrageous fees, taxes, and levies on licenced mining companies and operators (both foreign and local), oppression, suppression, continuous arrest and harassment of licensed miners and their workers (both foreign and local) have become manifest in many parts of the country due to lack of synergy amongst the tiers of government.”

By: John Chukwu

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