Constitution preventing states from exploring minerals - Ahmed

Date: 2017-07-10

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has said Nigeria's constitution is an impediment to state governments in Nigeria to mine and explore mineral deposits in their respective states.

He stated that this development had inhibited the states from increasing their internally-generated revenue and creating employment opportunities through the development and harnessing of solid minerals in their areas.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Musa Yeketi, spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during the installation of Prof. Silas Dada as the 29th President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society on Sunday.

He explained that Section 44 (3) of the 1999 Constitution vested the Federal Government with the ownership and control of all minerals, oils and natural gas in Nigeria.

He added that the Second Schedule, Part 1, Item 39 of the Exclusive List in the 1999 Constitution restricted state governments from developing their respective mining potential.

Ahmed said, "The availability of solid minerals in Nigeria presents state governments with the opportunity to increase their internally-generated revenue for themselves, reduce dependence on FG's (revenue) allocation and create employment for our teeming youth population. However, the constitution appears to hobble this possibility.

"This creates a situation whereby states have limited authority over mining activities in their domain and are often required to purchase expensive licences from the Federal Government with no guarantee of returns or successful exploitation of mineral resources."

But Dada said the FG was now willing to encourage active participation of state governments in exploration and mining activities if the state governments were willing.

He said, "Nothing stops any state in Nigeria now from forming a private company, joining with that private company and mining.

"The problem we have in the state is because government is at the back of it, accountability is an issue. But if you do it like a business, you allow the private sector to do it as business and make profit, then there will not be a problem."

Dada said Nigeria's abundant natural resources should not be a curse to the nation. He stated that though Nigeria had a large deposit of oil, if properly managed, solid mineral resources-driven development is the best growth opportunity for the country.

He urged the Federal Government to get the Natural Resources Management policy chain right.

He stated that the NRM policy chain should be adequately developed by setting up strong policies in every area of income generation and investment.

Source

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Bola Sagaya     Kwara United     Hussein Olokooba     Bolaji Abdullahi     Quareeb Islamic Association     Henry Makinwa     Mohammed Halidu     Nigerian Correctional Service     Zainab Abass     Shettima Of Ilorin     Jumoke F. Ajao     Aliyu Olatunji Ajanaku     Federal Road Maintenance Agency     Abdulrazaq Solihudeen     Moronfoye     Mohammed Lawal     Baboko     Mary Arinde     Muhammed Aliyu     Musa Alhassan Buge     Freshvine Nigeria Limited     Gbemi Saraki     Kwara Metro Park     David Oyedepo     Iyabo Adisa Ibiyeye     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Gamji Members Association     SSA Youth     Isiaka Gold     Kwara TV     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     Neuropsychiatric Hospital     Vasolar Consortium     Makama     Temi Kolawole     Yoonus Lawal     Abiodun Abdulkareem     Ilorin Anchor Men And Women     Ibrahim Agboola Gambari     Saidu Isa     Akanbi-Oke     Adisa Logun     Ojuekun     Oke-opin     Kwara Volleyball Association     Ilorin Like-Minds     Mahmud Babatunde Baker     RTEAN     Oke-Kura     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     Oniwa     Olosi Of Osi     Ayinde Oki     Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum     Yusuf Abdulwahab     Www.Kwarareports.com     Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union     Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh     IsDB     Col. Ibrahim Taiwo     Kayode Ogunlowo     Aro Yahaya     Atunwa     Elelu     Ibrahim Kayode Adeyemi     T And K FOODS     Aisha Buhari     Azeez Bello     Peter Amogbonjaye     Lai Gobir     Kabir Shagaya     Moro     Garba Ado Sanni     Adeleke Ogungbe     Amasa     Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin     National Broadcasting Commission    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Kayode Ogunlowo     Oba Mogaji Abdulkadir     YAKOOYO     SWAN     Chief Of Staff     AIT Ilorin     Saliu Alamoyo     Sheriff Shagaya     AbdulHamid Adi     Haruna Tambiri Mohammed     Umar Gunu     Rotimi Atere     Pakata Patriots     Rapheal Ashaolu     Aasiyat Bello Oyedepo     Amina El-Imam     AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro     Babatunde Idiagbon     Hameed Oladipupo Ali     Adegoke Bamidele     Omotosho     International Public Sector Accounting Standards     Valsolar Consultoria     Akanji     Suleman Abubakar     Local Government     Maja     Okanlawon Musa     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari     Jide Ashonibare     Saba Mamman Daniel     Baruten     Olukotun Of Ikotun     Olaitan Adefila     Undergraduate Bursary     Opolo Global Innovation Limited     Elewu     Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Ahman Patigi     Arinola Fatimoh Lawal     Mujtabah Bature     Sidikat Akaje     Muhammed Akanbi     Olufolake Abdulrazaq     Sidikat Uthman Ajibola     Ayekale     Hassan Taiye Salam     Kwara Politics     Omotoso     Ajeigbe     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu     Jawondo     Justina Oha     Christopher Odetunde     Yahaya Abdulkareem Babaita     Government High School Adeta     Garba Dogo     Students Union Government     Ibrahim Gambari     Geri-Alimi Split Diamond Interchange     Abdulazeez Uthman     Offa Poly     Adamu Jemilat-Baki     Abdullahi Samari     Afetu Of Alabe     Adamu B. Yaqubu     Saheed Popoola     Iponrin     Muhammad Yahya     Face Masks     Mohammed Haruna     Oluwole Dupe     Oloriegbe     Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu     Offorjama     Gurei