Ayuba Mafi
The Miners Association of Nigeria has decried the difficult registration process and multiple taxations hindering the operations of local miners in Bauchi.
It was gathered Sensitising Miners association on process and procedures of export in Bauchi State have been identified by stakeholders as some of the factors impeding the smooth operation of the mining and mineral sector.
The Association includes, the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Export Promotion Council, (NEPC), Nigerian Shippers Council, state government officials among others made this known at a one-day enlightenment clinic organised by Nigerian Shippers Council, North East Zonal office Bauchi.
Speaking at the occasion in Bauchi, the state Chairman of Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Bello Galoji, said the cumbersome process of registration and multiple taxations has been affecting the local mining process in the country.
“The local miners have this fear of exploration because of the heavy and tedious process of registration and multiple taxations by the state, local government, federal and traditional leaders”, Galoji explained.
He expressed concerns that Nigeria is losing lots of resources from untapped mineral deposits and the little that is being mined mostly by illegal miners who smuggle the products out of the country.
Galloji explained that Bauchi state is richly endowed in the North with over 30 mineral resources such as metal ores, non-metallic ores, and gemstones.
“Other untapped mineral resources in Bauchi include kaolin, talc, tin, quartz, iron ore, gypsum, zircon, calcite, tantalite, chalcopyrite, mica, copper ore, limestone, tourmaline, among others,” He said.
The Chairman advocated for a favourable fiscal environment that will aid exploration and investment in the sector for improved contribution to the economy.
On his part, Alhaji Abubakar Bashir, Director North East Zone of Nigeria Shippers Council, said the aim of the enlightenment clinic was to sensitize Miners on the need for importation and exportation of goods.
He explained that the council is responsible for protecting exporters and importers in Nigeria as well as its goods.
“The council also focuses on importing and exporting of cargo with regards to port-to-port shipment through the chain of transportation”, Bashir added.
Also in a remark, the Bauchi state Commissioner for Natural Resources, Alhaji Nurudeen Hamid who was represented by the Director Admin, Mr. Benjamin Jacobson, assured the stakeholders of the government’s support and commitment towards boosting the sector.
The one-day enlightenment campaign our Correspondent gathered was aimed at sensitizing Miners association on process and procedures of export in Bauchi.
