Wike Urges FG To Allow States To Develop Their Resources
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has proposed that the federating units should be allowed to develop and operate their respective mineral resources and pay royalty to the Federal Government.
He said the proposal became imperative because the Federal Government, which unilaterally controls the country rich mineral endowments, has failed to translate the mineral wealth into overall economic development.
Wike made the assertion when the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu S. Ogah, paid him courtesy call at the Government House, Port Harcourt, today.
The governor, in a release by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, said, for the country to benefit from its vast mineral endowment, the Federal Government should concentrate on formulation of policies that will facilitate an improvement in the governance of the mining sector to improve social welfare of the citizens.
Wike said: “The Federal Government is carrying so much load that it is not supposed to carry. Allow states to develop these minerals and pay royalty to the Federal Government. That is the way it is supposed to be.”
He urged the minister to push for reforms that will enable states and local governments take charge of mining of solid minerals in their domain and then pay tax to the Federal Government.
“It is very important for people to know that part of the problem in this country is that everybody is depending on oil, when we are also supposed to look at other minerals.
“Minerals play a great role in terms of raising revenue for any country. So, our overemphasis on oil has reduced our impact on other minerals,” he added.
Governor Wike noted that, if the country fully harness the gold deposit in Zamfara State as well as other minerals in other states of the federation, it will make a lot of revenue from these minerals that can accelerate its development.
He lamented that, despite the possibility of the Ajaokuta Steel Company project generating huge revenues for the country and creating not less than 3,000 jobs, the Federal Government, allegedly for political reasons, have failed to actualise the country’s aspiration to become a major player in the global steel industry.
The governor declared that the Rivers State government is prepared to collaborate with the Federal Government to develop the mineral sector of the country.
He advised the Federal Government to shun playing politics with issues of economic development and strive entrench the ideals of good governance in the country.
The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu S. Ogah, told the governor he is in the state to share with him the vision and policy focus of the Federal Government for the development of the nation’s solid mineral resources.
According to him, his visit is to solicit for the support and partnership of the Rivers State government in ensuring the orderly and efficient exploitation of huge deposits of silica sand, glass sand and in the state for construction purposes and glass manufacture.
“In addition, permit me to also remind you of the abundant sea salt yet to be exploited in Rivers as a state bordering the Atlantic Ocean, which might also be an interesting area for collaborative development also,” he added.
He commended Governor Wike for the peerless successes his administration has recorded in matching actions with mission statement of actualising the aspirations of the people of Rivers State for a balanced development and enhanced quality of life for the present and future generations through responsive governance guided by the fear of God.
“Your administration has accomplished its mission as seen in the massive infrastructures, cultural integration, provision of essential social amenity and many other legacy projects for the prosperity of River people and Nigerians living and doing businesses in the state,” Ogah added.
