Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In response to the escalating mining operations and tax conflict between the Osun State Government and Thor Explorations Limited, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has established a fact-finding committee aimed at addressing the ongoing dispute.
The newly formed team, led by Permanent Secretary Dr. Mary Ogbe, includes representatives from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA.
Inaugurating the committee, the Minister tasked them to investigate the root causes of the disagreement, review contractual obligations, and assess the impact of the mining operations on local communities and the broader economy.
Alake emphasized that mining matters was under the federal government’s exclusive legislative list, hence state governments cannot unilaterally disrupt mining activities without consulting the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals.
He said, “While mining companies must comply with laws regarding taxes, environmental regulations, and Corporate Social Responsibility, it is essential to recognize that the Federal Government has the exclusive authority to regulate and oversee mining activities.
“It is crucial to recognize that closing down mining operations by subnational governments could jeopardize our efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investments and may even lead to divestment by existing companies.”
“Any halt in industrial production undermines our goals for economic prosperity, deprives workers of their income, and contributes to further hardship. I want to emphasize that the Federal Government has been actively promoting investment opportunities in the solid minerals sector around the world.”
The committee has been given seven days to submit its report, and Alake urged both parties to cooperate fully.
“I urge both parties to cooperate with the fact-finding team and allow production to continue while we work through these issues. It is essential that both parties pursue peace and industrial harmony for the benefit of the workers and their families who could be negatively affected by the closure of operations at the factory.”
