From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Federal Government is set to revoke 1633 titles due to failure to pay their royalty to the sector for several years
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake stated this in an interactive section with journalists in Abuja.
Dr Alake who explained that the aim was to free up spaces to accommodate serious investors in the sector added that 30 days warning notice was given to the mining operators and also published in the federal government Gazette.
“The mandatory 30 days expired on November 10, 2023. Only 580 title holders responded by settling their indebtedness, With this development, the MCO recommended the revocation of 1, 633 mineral titles as follows: Exploration Licence, 536; Quarry Licence, 279; Small Scale Mining Licence, 787 and Mining Lease, 31.” He added.
“In compliance with the law, the Mining Cadastre office, MCO, on October 4, 2023 began the process of revoking 2,213 titles, these included 795 Exploration titles, 956 Small Scale Mining Licences, 364 Quarry licences and 98 Mining Leases” Alake emphasized.
“These were published in the Federal Government Gazette Number 178, Volume 110 of October 10, 2023 with the notice of revocation for defaulting in the payment of Annual Service Fee”
He warned previous mining operators never to return to those spaces as more serious applicants are ready to replace them.
“In line with the powers conferred on me by the NMMA 2007, Section 5 (a), I have approved the revocation of the 1,633 titles. I hereby warn the previous holders of these titles to leave the relevant cadaster with immediate effect as security agencies shall work with the Mines Inspectorate of the Ministry to apprehend any defaulter found on any of the areas where titles have been revoked” the minister stressed.
The Minister added thatthe revocation will free the mining environment for intended investors.
He stressed that the Federal Government would continue to revoke title license of faulty mining operators.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Mary Ogbe called on Nigerians to join hands to build a new Nigeria now that the political will is available.