Ajaokuta: ALSCON, Mining Council urges FG to revitalize firms

The Federal Government has been urged to speed up the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd and Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), as well as revive several moribund steel plants scattered across the country in a bid to grow the country’s steel sector and promote private sector participation in Steel development.

The National Council on Mining and mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD), which stated this also urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, compile a nationwide inventory of miners, active mining sites, processing companies, personnel and machinery in order to create an all-encompassing data bank to be used in advising potential investors and for investment planning.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and made available to The Daily Times, “The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is to start forwarding the list of licence holders in every state of the Federation to their respective state governments on quarterly basis for proper documentation.

“These are part of the decisions reached at the three-day maiden meeting of the National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD), as contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting.

The NCMMRD’s inaugural meeting was attended by Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries of Minerals and Mining ministries across the 36 states between September 12 and 14 in Abuja. The council meeting was chaired by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.”

According to the communiqué, the meeting, which did a comprehensive review of the mining sector, agreed that some major steps must be taken in order to increase the current growth being experienced in the sector.

The statement said that, “The meeting also agreed that there must be synergy between the Federal Government, states and local governments to ensure that the country take full advantage of its vast mineral deposits.

The minister said that, other decisions of the council, include the establishment of a forum of Commissioners responsible for Mineral Resources Development. This, according to them, would encourage constant feedback engagement with the Federal Government and to monitor progress on areas that have been agreed.

According to the statement, the communique read in part: “Current effort at bringing Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd 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 & Local Government Areas through the instrumentality of Minerals Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) as provided for by Section 19 of 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.

“In issuance of the certificate of origin, the Federal and State Governments should collaborate through MIREMCO in analysing and tagging of minerals at source with a view of determining appropriate royalties.

“Adequate capacity building, funding and logistics support should be provided for the appropriate technical departments of the Ministry to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement in the mines fields.”

Ganiyu Obaaro