Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has said that miners and operators in the sector are owing the Federal Government more than N2 trillion.
This is just as the minister stressed that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is determined to halt the activities of illegal miners across the country.
Alake described the activities of illegal miners as a huge crime against Nigeria and Nigerians, which he said, was unacceptable.
The minister stated this during a meeting with Licensed Minerals Holders, Laterite /Sand Operators Dealers in Kaduna State, on Thursday.
He said, “Miners and Operators owed the federal government more than N2trn” while “in Kaduna State, it’s over N300bn.”
“We have made it very clear that in Kaduna State, every operator should make bold steps and clear their debt,” the minister, represented by the Acting Zonal Mines Officer, North-West Zonal Office, Kutman Hosea Ali, said.
Meanwhile, the minister has directed the Special Mines Taskforce activated in Kaduna State to clamp down on illegal miners and nonpayment of royalties which must be paid monthly as well as other taxes to the apex government.
