*Dr. Oladele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, inaugurates the fact-finding committee on the conflict between the Osun State Government of Nigeria and Segilola Resources Operating Limited, a gold-mining firm, reiterating that states lack powers to arbitrarily shut down mining operations in the country

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Dr. Oladele Alake, Honourable Minister for Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), has inaugurated the fact-finding team constituted in the heat of the face-off between the Osun State Government and Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL).

绿帽献妻 had reported Dr. Alake recently announced the constitution of a fact-finding committee to critically examine the circumstances that led to the sealing off of SROL, a gold-mining company, over alleged tax evasion and other sundry infractions in the South West state in Nigeria.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State (l) and Mr. Segun Lawson, CEO of Segilola Resources Operating Limited

The Minister, who announced the constitution of the team at a media briefing Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Abuja, FCT, restated the position of the Federal Government, that mining belongs to the Exclusive Legislative list, and as such, sub-nationals have no powers to unilaterally disrupt mining operations across the country.

He stated: “I’d like to reaffirm our position that though mining companies must obey all laws and regulations guiding their operations, such as payment of taxes, environmental regulations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among others, it is our firm belief that subnational authorities do not possess the power to arbitrarily shut down mining operations because the mining of聽 liquid or solid minerals belongs in the exclusive list, within the purview of the Federal Government, to regulate, legislate and direct.鈥�

Alake equally stressed that the Federal Government understands the peculiarities of the mining environment and the need to collaborate with subnationals, hence the leeway provided for states to apply for mining licences to participate actively in the mining sector, whilst taking advantage of their nominees in the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) to superintend over mining activities in their domains.

He further explained: “MIREMCO exists in all states of the Federation, and they are charged with the responsibility of ensuring compliance of mining companies with the extant regulations and laws.

鈥淥ut of the eight (8) members that constitute MIREMCO in each state, five (5) including the chairman are nominated by State Governments; hence states are already substantially involved in the regulation of mining activities, thus, there should be no reason for constitutional violations.鈥�

Investigating Committee鈥檚 Terms of Reference (TORs)

Inaugurating the committee Wednesday, Dr. Alake disclosed its Terms of Reference (ToR) to include identifying the root causes of the disagreement between the Osun State Government and Segilola Resources Operating Limited; Review of contractual obligations and agreements between both parties; and Evaluate the impact of the company’s operations on host communities and the wider Osun State economy among others.

Members of the Committee include the Director, Mines Inspectorate of the Ministry, Engr. Imam Ganiyu (Chairman); Representative of NACCIMA, Dr. Dele Oye (Vice-Chairman), Mr. Pwol Dareng, Asst. Director, Organised Private Sector (OPS) of the Ministry (Secretary).

Other members are Director, Mines Environmental Compliance (MEC), Dr. Vivian Okono; Director, Legal, Mrs. N.C Odili; Representative of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, Tayo Koleosho; Rep. of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commision (NIPC), Zubeir S. Abubakar.

In her remarks at the event, Dr. Mary Ogbe, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, urged states to cooperate with the Federal Government to avoid disruptions in mining operations.

Dr. Ogbe emphasised such actions do send wrong signals to prospective investors, and can be a disincentive to the much needed Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) required to develop the sector of the Nigerian economy.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Dr. Dele Oye, Vice-Chairman and representative of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), assured the Minister that the panel would serve with utmost integrity in fulfilling its terms of reference.

The probe panel has seven days to submit its report.

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