FG seeks partnership with Rivers on solid minerals development
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has solicited for the collaboration of the Rivers State Government in harnessing and developing solid minerals in the state.
The Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Dr. Uche Ogah, on a courtesy visit to Governor Nyesom Wike, said he was also in the state to sensitise mining operators as well as their counterparts in the oil and gas sector on the use of commercial explosives for their operations.
The minister, while sharing with the governor, the policy focus of the Federal Government for the development of the nation’s solid mineral resources; said the government would efficiently exploit silica sand, glass sand and clay in the state for manufacturing.
He further disclosed that he was in the state to inspect explosive storage facilities of some oil and gas companies; and also to inspect some sand dredging sites round the city environs.
“Our objective on this visit is to solicit for the support and partnership of the Government of Rivers State in ensuring the orderly and efficient exploitation of huge deposits of silica sand, glass sand and clay which occur in Rivers State for construction purposes and glass manufacturing.
“Sensitising mining operators, oil and gas operators with the use of commercial explosives for their operations as well as mining host communities and other stakeholders.
“This is with a view of ensuring that mining activities are conducted in a safe, and environmentally friendly manner consistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
“Commercial explosives used in oil and gas operations are stored and used in a safe and secured manner in line with provisions of the Explosives Act and Regulations," he said. comprising of cashew nuts, ginger, hibiscus flower, sesame seeds, zircon sand, palm kernel and tiger nuts, among others.
He charged officers and men in the Command to be uncompromising in collection of revenue and implementation of government directives on trade.
He said: "A total of N38,877,314,286.12 revenue collected for the Federal Government for first quarter of 2021 by this command.
"A breakdown of the 2021 monthly collections shows N12,123,024,011.82 for January; N12,760,546,062.07 for February and N13,984,744,212.23 for March .
"All monthly collections for this year have so far surpassed those of the first three months of 2020 with remarkable differences from which hovered at slightly above N7b monthly".
On anti-smuggling, the Onne Customs boss said the Command also recorded a total of 12 seizures, with a cumulative duty paid value of N4,120,882,608.03.
He warned duty evaders to steer clear from Onne seaport, as they would be arrested with their wares seized in accordance with extant provision of the Customs and Excise Management Act.