Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice-president of Nigeria has condemned state governments that impose illegal fees, taxes and levies on licensed mining companies, warning that such actions serve as disincentive to prospective investors in the sector and jeopardise the Federal Government’s efforts to deepen the mining industry.
Osinbajo said this on Thursday in his address at the maiden edition of the strategic engagement on sustainable mining titled: ‘Resurrecting our Buried Prosperity’.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement titled: ‘Govts, Communities Collaboration will be a Game-changer for Nigeria’s Mining Sector’.
The Vice-President said, “Some state governments, in a bid to shore up their revenues, impose illegal fees, taxes, and levies on foreign and local licensed mining companies and operators.
“Enforcement of these taxes often leads to the frequent arrests and harassment of licensed miners and their workers, and closures of mining sites. This happens frequently.