IMSG dissolve revenue collectors on Mines, Solid Minerals
By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Following series of complains on the activities of the revenue collectors on Mines and Solid Minerals in Imo State, the State Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals has announced the immediate dissolution of the revenue collectors so as to instill discipline and sanity in the system.
The Ministry’s Commissioner, Barr. Ernest Ibejiako, (Nwa Ndaa) announced this on Wednesday during a well attended joint meeting of the Ministry with the leadership of Miners and Tipper Drivers in the State.
Ibejiako pointed out that the essence of the meeting is to formally inform them that all obstacles, challenges and bottlenecks they have been facing before now have been put on the table, discussed, addressed and jointly agreed, and by the special grace of God, there shall not be issues of discontent or acrimony within both parties anymore.
According to the Commissioner, ” It is important to inform you here, that all revenue collectors appointed by the past administrations of the Ministry of Mines & Solid Minerals, before I came on board has been dissolved with immediate effect. Currently, investigation on the activities of these past revenue collectors is on-going”.
He assured them of the efforts the Ministry is making to appoint new revenue agents that would be introduced to them so as to commence work soon.
Ibejiako solicited for their support and cooperation with the new revenue collectors the Ministry would be appointed and introduced to them, and further solicited on the need of giving them the maximum cooperation they deserve to function, by paying their accruable revenues in line with the adopted and approved State revenue subheads of the Ministry aimed towards improving the government internally generated revenue (IGR) payable to the government Treasury Single Account (TSA)
The Commissioner reiterated his intention not to use any taskforce for now rather, but to rely on their cooperation with the appointed revenue collectors, noting that their progress reports and feedbacks will give him reason to adopt other strategic measures where necessary.
He expressed serious concern on the issue concerning illegal miners in the state, giving a marching order that all miners operating in the state must as a matter of crucial necessity identify with the Ministry for official recognition.
“As far as you are operating within the confines of Imo state land and territory, you must identify with the Ministry. This is non-negotiable. The Ministry on her part, will ensure that identification numbers are given to both major miners and artisan miners prior to complete documentations in line with the extant laws of both the Federal and State governments.
“So, you are encouraged to cooperate with the Ministry and do the needful for a hitch free operation/business activities in the State”he insisted.
Responding, Prince Ugochukwu Onyenwenwa, the Chairman Miners Association of Nigeria, Imo State chapter and Vice Chairman, South East Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, commended the Commissioner for creating a synergy with all the stakeholders describing mining as a turbulent business area that deserves an administrative icon.
Onyenwenwa assured the Commissioner of his members willingness to pay the government approved taxes and levies, identifying problem of the business as non implementation of the guidelines and road map agreed upon, and solicited for the sustainability of the collaborative synergy with the State Government.
The Chairman also canvassed the need for the state government to give a caveat that every miner should identify first with the association before getting any recognition from the State Government.
Adding his voice, the Chairman Nigeria Tipper Drivers Association, Imo State Chapter, Comrade Izuchukwu Okebaram, (Bora) said that their position in the meeting is likened to observers status noting that whatever resolution reached will be implemented by them and reassured their commitments to work with the Ministry.
