The Federal Government says it is poised to recover “several trillions of naira” unpaid royalties/ taxes from licensed miners.
The government equally vowed to block all areas through which it loses revenue in the mining sector.
The measures to actualise these include the engagement of consultants and collaboration with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake made this known when RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello visited his office in Abuja.
Alake added in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant media to the Minister, Segun Tomori, that the government would “sanitise the mining environment and automate the whole gamut of the revenue collection processes.”
The statement partly reads: “The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), have resolved to strengthen collaboration to block revenue leakages in the mining sector.
“Dr. Alake revealed that the Federal Government has put in place measures like engaging consultants to block leakages and recover funds owed by licensed operators, which he put at several trillions of naira.
“From our efforts, so far, we have discovered to our chagrin that we are owed trillions of naira in unpaid royalties and taxes by legalised operators.
“We are committed to recovering these funds and are also in the process of engaging internationally certified auditors to look at the system and automate the whole gamut of the revenue collection processes.
“Alake restated the resolve of the government to sanitise the mining environment, ensure it contributes substantially to the nation’s revenue, and ultimately make the sector rival oil in contribution to Nigeria’s GDP(Gross Domestic Product).
“We are ready to collaborate with you, states, and host communities to maximise the potential of the mining sector for the benefit of all Nigerians. Our focus is to ensure that the industry translates to greater good for the greatest number of our people.”
