Illegal mining activities has denied Benue 13% derivative — Benue AG

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

The State Chairman Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, (MIREMCO) and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order in Benue state, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim has revealed that the state has been deprived of 13 percent derivatives due to the activities of illegal miners.

Barr. Mnyim made the disclosure during the first inaugural meeting of MIREMCO Makurdi, the state capital.

Speaking, the AG assured Benue residents that the committee would reposition mineral activities in the state for the benefit of the people.

He explained that with the establishment of MIREMCO which was created under the mineral and mining ACT of 2009, section 19, states including Benue that have about 38 mineral resources out of the 44 found  across the country but has not been benefitting its 13 percent derivative fund from the federal government would start benefiting the proceeds.

The AG further explained that  MIREMCO will serve as advisory committee to the honourable minister of solid minerals, synergise between the federal and state government as well as the host communities where such minerals are deposited to see how the mineral resources are properly developed and harnessed.

According to him, the duty of MIREMCO is to ensure and take deliberate steps towards ensuring that the IGR of the state is improved through activities of mineral explorers for the overall  benefit of the state and the  host communities where such minerals are found, lamenting that in the past the Benue State government despite huge deposit of minerals in the state was only receiving about N30 million as royalties from the federal government as revenue on minerals.

“The illegal miners and improper report of mining activities has denied the state much revenue and the 13 percent derivative in the past, as well as caused insecurity in the state,” Mnyim maintained.

He expressed optimism that with the  commencement of the committee’s work, the desk office will make sure that all persons with mineral licences are the same persons operating, pointing out that some people have collected licences only to go and keep while others were operating in the state without license.

He also explained that other categories of miners operating with licences were, however,not complying with needed lawful requirements such as payment of surface rent, execution of community development agreements which could include construction and maintenance of roads, provision of other infrastructure such as water, health centres as well as other incentives.

Mnyim expressed worry why some of the mining companies do not follow the community agreement of the act, assuring that MIREMCO Benue State would ensure that proper royalties are paid to the federal government and would also make sure that the 13 percent derivation for the state is remitted.

He said the committee will  ensure that a proper licence is issued for import and export of these minerals as well as to make sure that environmental impact assessment is properly done in the affected communities.

Mnyim emphasised that the committee has come to stay with establishment of a desk office in Makurdi and  appealed to those willing to carry out mining activities in the state to approach the desk officer and register by giving details of their companies, its location, where it is operating for easy relations and for the purposes of checks.

He advised those with mining licences but are yet to commence operations or those that completed every other legal procedure needed for them to commence work but are having challenges such as harassment from the locations to go to the desk office to register their complaint, adding that those within communities suspected to have mineral titles yet to be uncovered should also report to the office in Makurdi.

Mnyim warned that any company causing some sort of trouble such as insecurity threats, among others should be reported, pointing out that operations of MIREMCO will cover activities of both local and foreign investors to ensure mutual benefit.