By MARTHA AGAS

The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) says it is not entirely opposed to the Federal Government’s proposed increase in mining licence rates but adds that government should be considerate in the review.

The MAN National President, Mr Dele Ayanleke, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

NAN reports that the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, had announced plans to review the rates of mining licences and other sundry fees payable by mining operators in the country.

The move is aimed at boosting the capacity of government to effectively reposition the mining sector.

The MAN boss said that the association was aware that factors such as inflation and the exchange rate had made the cost of running the government high.

He added that the government was expected to take advantage of the increased volume of activities in the sector to generate revenue for social and infrastructural development in the country.

He, however, said that in spite of such considerations, the government should be reasonable in arriving at the new rates, noting that the association remained patriotic and understands that periodic reviews were necessary.

He acknowledged the efforts of the government in creating an enabling environment for the ease of doing business, and urged her to harmonise the legal and regulatory framework of mining laws between the federal and state governments.

According to the president, the interpretation of the laws is generating difficulties for title holders with state governments across the country, which could also sabotage efforts to attract investors to the sector.

“Also the issue of state government interference is increasing cost of doing business in the mining sector.

“We all know what the constitution says about mining; it is in the exclusive list, there are provisions between local and host communities but what we are experiencing now is deviation of the norms.

“The state governments are setting up their own regulatory framework and structure, and all these comes with their own regulatory levies, and some conditions may be difficult for the titleholders to meet.

“It is also bringing a lot of confusion in the sector on government`s dedication to bring investors, there is need for government to re-enact its laws and be solely committed to address this situation and speak with one voice,” he said.

He said that If gaps were identified, a round table discussion should be organised to address the issues.

“The state government should come forward and state whatever grievances, agitations and their visions on mining.

“Let them bring it to the table for holistic review, so that we come up with policies and regulations to meet the yearnings of all tiers of government,“ he said.

NAN recalls that the MAN president had said during a national stakeholders’ roundtable on sustainable development in the mining sector, that state executive orders were being considered more superior to the constitution and the Mining Act.

He decried that orders were being deployed to ban and unban mining activities, and task forces were being set up to close facilities of valid title holders.

According to Ayanleke, the state governments establish revenue streams not known to extant laws, in disregard to the established framework. (NAN)