By Palma Ileye
Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has said it was probing the claims and counter-claims of Osun State Government and Thor Explorations Limited, owners of the Segilola Resources Operating Limited over taxation and operational matters.
This was disclosed in a press release issued by Segun Tomori, Special Assisitant on Media
to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake announced that a fact-finding team has been set up to engage both parties towards resolving the dispute and restoring industrial harmony.
Led by Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, MSMD, the committee will include representatives of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA.
Alake observed that the Federal Government has been marketing opportunities for investments in the solid minerals sector across the world and cautioned that closure of mining operations by subnationals could abort efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investments, FDI and provoke divestment.
He asserted, “Indiscriminate closures of mining operations by subnationals raises the risk of discouraging foreign direct investments and even worse, possible divestment by existing companies. Mining is on the exclusive legislative list. The Ministry of Solid Minerals should be consulted before such disruptive actions are taken.”
The Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s interest in raising the tempo of productive activities nationwide to boost economic growth, increase employment and community development.
Dr. Alake stressed that any cessation of industrial production will undermine the goals of economic prosperity, deny workers the opportunity to earn income, and further contribute to adversity.
He called on both parties to co-operate with the fact-finding team and allow production to continue while the issues are resolved.
“I hereby call on His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke and the management of Thor Exploration Limited to sue for peace and industrial harmony in the interest of the workers and their dependents who may be adversely affected by closure of operations at the factory,” he added.
“No state has the authority to interfere in mining operations; this is a constitutional mandate. Mining falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the federal government, as outlined in the exclusive legislative list. Any attempt to overstep this boundary is a direct violation of the Constitution,” Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake said.
