Association seeks FG, state govt's synergy to boost mining operations

The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Bauchi State Chapter, has advocated more synergy between the Federal and the state governments to enhance mining operations in the country.

The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Bello Galloji, made the call in an interview on Wednesday in Bauchi.

He said that such closer working collaboration between the federal and state governments would improve revenue generation in the country.

He stressed the need for the federal government to collaborate with the state governments on issuance of licences and titles for mining operations to encourage sustainable economic development in the country.

The Chairman said that the federal government has the statutory powers through the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to issue mining titles across the country.

"The Federal Government has the power to sanction erring, illegal or unlicensed mining operators in the country.

"It also collects revenue, it can monitor and regulate mining operations and take actions where the mineral and mining acts are violated," he said.

According to him, to improve the economy of the country there is a need for synergy with the state governments where mining operations are taking place.

"The Federal Government needs the state governments` assistance to explore other means of generating revenue and regulating unlicensed mining operations within the states that have the minerals."

The chairman, however, tasked the state governments to play major roles to ensure that the host communities were carried along to achieve the aim of such synergy.

He observed that most miners who tapped the resources were from outside the host communities, thereby affecting them, adding that their unprofessional activities were destroying the environment, hence the need for proper monitoring.

On the way forward, Galloji who is also the National Treasurer of the association, said such collaboration among the three tiers of government would demystify operations of the mining industry and check environmental degradation.

Galloji also commended Bauchi State government for encouraging mining and establishing a firm through Public Private Partnership (PPP), and called for awareness creation activities to educated the mining communities on social responsibility of miners in their areas.

He reiterated the readiness of the association to adopt all legitimate measures to protect the interest of its members.