Mining Operator Urges FG To Address Multiple Taxation

Chief Executive Officer
of Imperial Stone Limited, Mr Tunde Ibironke, has called on the Federal Government to address the challenges of multiple impositions of taxes on miners by government agencies.
Ibironke told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that some agencies had formed the habit of collecting taxes in the name of government.
He said miners were paying taxes to the Local, State and Federal governments and to some security agencies, such as Police Force and Civil Defence Corps among others.
According to him, some miners, especially the small scale operators have abandoned the profession due to multiple taxation and exorbitant demands from the host communities.
“Miners are supposed to be encouraged and not to be distracted with taxes; government should address this issue because it is causing setback for the sector as mining is capital intensive,’’ he said.
He called on the Federal Government to create environment conducive for both local and foreign miners to boost mining operation.
Ibironke urged the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to put in place adequate measures to curtail illegal mining across the country.
NAN recalls that the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, reiterated the urgent need for states and local governments to commence registration of artisanal miners operating in their domains.
Fayemi said this when he visited a mining site at Muye Kafinkoro Village, Paikoro Council in Niger, where a mango tree fell and killed four out of about 100 local miners conducting illegal mining.
He said the registration would help to ensure safer mining environment and improve revenue, adding that the state and local government authorities should champion the registration.
He also urged states to domesticate the Child Right Act, so as to discourage the use of children for illegal mining activities.