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Policy advocacy platform tasks Nigerian government on recovery of gold assets in mining sector

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Policy advocacy platform tasks Nigerian government on recovery of gold assets in mining sector

By: Michael Mike

The Think Tank on Nigeria (TTON) organisation, a policy advocacy platform has called on Nigerian Government to get more serious about recovery of gold assets in the mining sector through transparent national and international bidding.

This was contained in a-19 point resolution reached after a deliberation which focused on the theme, ’The mining sector and national development’, adding that the recovered gold can be put in a secured vault

The organisation in the communique endorsed by 79 members pointed out that a national mining company should be created to own the assets and be listed on the gold stock exchange in London, United States of America (USA) and Hong Kong.

The other resolutions stated that gold refineries must be established to refine some of the gold from time to time to make ornaments and jewelry for sale locally and internationally.

The advocacy platform added that this same process can be applied to over 36 other minerals available in Nigeria in commercial quantities but currently exploited by artisanal or illegal miners, stressing that government should industrialize the sector by supporting it with more mechanized and advanced mining technology.

Some of the resolutions include: “This would lead to the reduction of unemployment within the country especially within the mining localities. The local miners are knowledgeable, skilled, and organized. All they need is motivation from either the organized corporate sector or people-oriented investors.”

*The Minister that will be appointed to man the Mines and Steel Ministry must possess the requisite knowledge of the industry. He / She, like other Ministers, must be ready to sign a performance contract that will spell out timelines to effectively diversify the Nigerian economy from oil to mining.

*There must be a seamless synergy between the State and Federal Government. The Federal Government must give exploration licenses to the States with the natural minerals; in order to harmonize the artisanal miners properly into cooperative societies.

*There should be a declaration of a state of emergency in this sector as most of the precious minerals are being mined illegally and sold every day without returns to Government. Empowerment of the Local Government Areas to become major stakeholders in these mining sites will ease the tension of insurgency and burden exploitation by some faceless foreigners. Using representative fractions, the Local tier should exercise higher authority over fiscal reality.

*There must be political willpower and readiness from the security operatives to combat the mess of natural resources exploitation in Nigeria. Remedial measures should be put in place by the Regulatory agency or Ministry, mandating Mining companies, to put in place, measures to remediate the environment that has been negatively impacted by mining exploration activities.

*Mining activities leave host communities environmentally devastated. Hence, it became mandatory for them to restore the mined sites to its original topography. Mining operations/activities generate fine dust and soot that are dangerous to humans. Mining companies should be mandated to provide basic primary health facilities to host communities. A dispensary, managed by a local matron, will be ideal in a mining community.

*Where host communities/villages share proximity location with mineral mining locations, for health reasons, such communities should be relocated far from mining locations to prevent health hazards to children and others.

*Government, Ministry, or any other regulatory agency, must create a unit to supervise remedial work to ‘heal’ the environment of local communities that have been devastated by mining operations, with a view to managing the environment, and post- mining operations situation.”

The communique said the locals/villagers must be aware and properly oriented to hold the miners accountable for all forms of land degradation that might have occurred in the process of mining operations.

*Part of the ways to improve what the government is doing is PPP (Public Private Partnership). Considering this private participation, there is a need to break down the value chain, and the participatory roles expected from the private sector, this step of PPP could stop and stabilize the theft currently experienced in the mining industry

*The Nigerian Customs Service must rise to the occasion of their responsibilities to curb the excesses of illegal exportation of these resources out of Nigeria which evidently goes through the border post of Nigeria.

*The 13% derivative approach given to the oil producing states should be applicable to the mining host states. The same 13% derivative should be allocated to the mining host states. Environmental impact assessment, health risk analysis, and other safety procedures must be adopted to ensure residents of these mining locations are free of health endemics.”

The organisation has 286 members of various professions, drawn from the geo-political zones of Nigeria, charged with discussing Nigerian politics, as well as analysing political candidates and policies.

*The goal is to proffer solutions to policies and developmental challenges which the country might be faced with, through diverse contributions of expertise in different fields, which could be converted to veritable actions if adopted, to bring needed positive changes.

The discussion moderated by the Convener, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, noted that despite the sector’s potential to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the nation, it has remained depleted, underutilized, and underproductive to the disadvantage of national development.

‘Rather, the sector has become tainted with consistent. Today, the labour force in the mining sector is largely informal, under-trained, and underpaid among others. How can that be changed?’, the meeting stated.

Policy advocacy platform tasks Nigerian government on recovery of gold assets in mining sector

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In Gombe, we commended Vice President, Kashim Shettima for his commitment, responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President. – Senator Lawan

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In Gombe, we commended Vice President, Kashim Shettima for his commitment, responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President. – Senator Lawan

By: Our Reporter

Former Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan has commended the meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) North East Zonal Stakeholders Forum held in Gombe state, today.

The former Senate President said it was an honour to stand alongside His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, the coordinating governor for the APC North East zone, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, and His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, of Borno State, chairman of the North East Governors Forum to discuss issues affecting the region.

According to Senator Lawan, the Forum commended Mr. President for giving the required leadership in the country and also taking courageous and bold reform decisions to revamp the economy and stabilize the polity.

“The Forum resolved to continue to support Mr. President in the implementation of his renewed agenda and equally commended the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, for his commitment to his responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President.” Senator Lawan said

He said while the trio (governors) are dynamic leaders passionate about their various states and the North East in general. “The presence of our National Chairman, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, further underscored the importance of this gathering. Alongside him were the National Deputy Chairmen (North and South), and other National Working Committee members, as well as numerous party stakeholders from across the North East, whose passion and contributions are the lifeblood of our political movement.

“We deliberated on critical issues affecting our region and nation and strategized on ways to consolidate our gains and address the needs of our people.” He added

In Gombe, we commended Vice President, Kashim Shettima for his commitment, responsibility and loyalty to Mr. President. – Senator Lawan

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Homehunt International Berths in Abuja to Improve Real Estate, Solar Power Energy

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Homehunt International Berths in Abuja to Improve Real Estate, Solar Power Energy

By: Michael Mike

HomeHunt International has berthed in Abuja to compete in real estate and solar power energy.

The company who had for sometimes established in Lagos decided to open a branch in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory to bring innovation into the real estate business and make available the best solar power hydrogen generator.

Speaking at the launch of the branch office in Abuja, the Executive Officer of HomeHunt International, Mr. Olayinka Aroyenu disclosed that the company is into solar-powered products with lithium-ion batteries.

He explained that lithium-ion batteries are docile, environmentally friendly. It’s not corrosive. It does not have any issues with the environment, and gives a compact product that is devoid of any problem.

He also said that it is more durable compared to any other battery powered generators.

He disclosed that the company has recorded success stories in Lagos, hence the need to expand into Abuja.

Aroyenu said the company is in Abuja to provide comfort and ease, noting that there are a range of products, from the small products that people want to use for their one room to the large products.

He explained that they do not sell products with gel batteries, lead batteries or any other battery type.

While highlighting the dangers of lead batteries, noting that “lead batteries are explosive, insisted that they are not very good for the environment.

He said: “The gel batteries, like the batteries you use in your cars, are very corrosive. And they can cause harm to kids in the house if they by accident touch it or have any effect around it.”

On the affordability of their product, he said/ “We are trying to work with a few financial businesses, banks and financial providers to provide the opportunity for instalments.

“ So that people can pay in instalments. Because you know that the only cost that is heavy when you buy a solar product is the first cost. You don’t buy fuel, you don’t buy oil, you don’t buy anything, we want to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.
“And we also provide the opportunity where you can actually even pay in instalments.”

He revealed that: “We are in discussion with some financial institutions. But the stumbling block is we want to make sure that those financial institutions are not charging high interest. Very low interest so that Nigerians can afford it and can afford to pay back easily.”

On the real estate business, he said the company has developed a dedicated app for would-be investors or prospective buyers of landed properties.

According to him: “ In our real estate business, we have an app, a dedicated patented app called the Home Hunt app, that provides an online marketplace for people to buy properties and people to sell properties.

“We have a partner bank, Brent Mortgage Bank in Victoria Island, Lagos, that holds the money in trust for the buyer, ensuring that the transaction is fully completed before releasing money to the seller. You all know that when you pay an agent, that’s when stories start to occur.

“The fact that you are paying the money to the bank, and the bank is holding the money in trust for you, and our legal partners, Pave Stone and Ikoi, will then do a full verification of all documents, you are now assured that if anything is wrong with the transaction, you’ll get your money back fully.

“And this is extremely attractive for Nigerians in the diaspora who want to invest in Nigeria. The only issue affecting Nigerian real estate is trust.”

He stressed that the real estate industry is one of the biggest in the world, but the business has been hampered in Nigeria by lack of trust, stressing that is why international investors do not come to Nigeria.

He said: “But if we can eliminate fraud and increase the ability to trust our systems, we will be able to do more transactions.“

Homehunt International Berths in Abuja to Improve Real Estate, Solar Power Energy

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ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali

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ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali
…To Hold Summit on Future of the Community

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States on Sunday announced plans to organise a summit: “the Future of the Community,” to strategize on life without exited member states- Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger Republic.

The exit of the three francophone countries, who have since formed Alliance of Sahel States,

Relations between the three countries and other members of ECOWAS got broken following the rejection of undemocratic change of government in the now AES states.

Already, the Committee on Administration and Finance of the commission has commenced a three day- mid-term evaluation of the sub-region’s implementation of the programmes and activities of the Community’s institutions.

The committee which is sitting in Abuja will also look at the difficult financial situation of the Community and the state of recruitment within the institutions.

Speaking at the opening of the 37th ordinary meeting of the CAF, on Sunday, the Vice President of the Commission, Madam Damtien Tchintchibidja, called for speedy reforms needed to adapt to the current reality of the withdrawal.

Tchintchibidja said: “Today’s meeting is part of a twofold dynamics: on the one hand, that of the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of ECOWAS and, on the other, that of the official withdrawal of three (3) of our Member States.

“One of the lessons learnt from the commemoration of our fiftieth anniversary and those learnt from the departure of the three (3) Member States is that it is essential and imperative for us to speed up the institutional, organisational, political and security reforms needed in order to adapt to the new realities. I therefore appeal to your sense of responsibility so that together we can undertake the necessary reforms.

“ It is in this spirit that I am pleased to announce the forthcoming organisation, in accordance with the decisions of the Heads of State and Government, of a Summit on the Future of the Community.”

She further said that “prior consultations will be organised, including with young people and women, to take into account all the needs for the future of the Community.”

Speaking on the importance of the CAF meeting, she said: “As you know, our organisation is currently going through an existential crisis and in such circumstances, we must sit down together, pose and examine the problems and challenges facing us without complacency and together redouble our efforts to find appropriate solutions.”

Tchintchibidja noted that ECOWAS is currently “ at a crossroads, and this calls for a strong capacity to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of integration and to project ourselves into the future,” stressing the need for the regional body to recognize the importance of unity.

She added that: “But beyond all that, we must be aware and recognise that our strength lies in unity, solidarity and fraternity. Indeed, moving forward together on the road to development, in peace and stability, is priceless.”

She also emphasized that “In many ways, this Golden Jubilee has been a time for collective reflection, introspection and assessment of our achievements, strengths and challenges. It has also enabled us to start looking to the future.”

She said: “I would like to remind you that ECOWAS is all of us: you here today, me, and all the citizens of our community space. It lives through our collective commitment, our solidarity, our fraternity and our shared desire to build a more prosperous and forward-looking region, hence the theme of our Golden Jubilee:‘Stronger together for a better future’

On his part, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee on Administration and Finance, Ambassador Olawale Awe called on ECOWAS to fastback the process of filling the gaps left behind by the three departed states.

ECOWAS Plans Life Without Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali

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