The Benue State government through the Minerals Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), has raised the alarm over activities of illegal miners that has affected the revenue accrued to the state.
Speaking to journalists in Makurdi at the weekend, the Chairman of the Committee, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, said despite the large deposit of mineral resources in the state, it benefits a meager amount from 13 percent derivatives.
According to him, the state has 34 mineral deposits out of a total of 44 available in the country, but regretted that the state only gets in the region of N30 million from the 13 percent derivatives.
He said, “Benue has no excuse to get such an amount. But there is a problem, the presence of illegal miners in the state, the problem of improper report of mining activities in the state that has denied the state royalty and the 13 percent derivatives.
“It is quite unfortunate that our 13 percent derivative is very low. There are several miners who are inactive in the state. Most of these people will just go and get licences and not do anything.
“There are other persons who are operating without licences and there are some with licences but have failed to operate with certain requirements for instance payment of surface rent, execution of community development agreement which include maintenance of roads, provision of water and several other incentives.
“The Committee is created under the mineral and mining act 2009, particularly section 19. The State has the opportunity to benefit from the act bearing in mind that the issue of solid minerals is in the exclusive list and the state governments benefit from this section of the act.”
He however stated that the committee was an advisory to the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake to liaise and create synergy between the Federal Government, the States and the host community to see how the mineral resources are properly developed and harnessed.
He added that the presence of the committee is to ensure and take very deliberate steps in ensuring that the IGR of the State is also increased.
“And how will the State IGR be increased, we have a window to take back from the State 13 percent derivatives which is through royalty payment.
“So, our duty is to look into this synergy and ensure that mineral resources are fully developed in the State.”