The Ogun State government says it has commenced the process of addressing the challenges of multiplicity of taxes and duplication of haulage fees as well as other issues facing the mining and transport sectors of the State economy.
The Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. kikelomo Longe made this known during the mining stakeholders’ engagement meeting organized by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta stating that the process would improve the ease of doing business in the sectors.
Mrs. Longe added that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration was already working on the harmonization of taxes in the State to address the challenge of multiple taxes and the duplication of haulage fees by other tiers of government especially Local Government Authorities while also taking necessary action to support artisanal miners in the State.
“As a responsible and responsive administration, concerted activities have commenced onerously to mitigate the burden in the mining and transport sectors. And that is why representatives of relevant MDAs are here so we can collectively and continuously work on enduring solutions,” she said.
The Commissioner called on the stakeholders to continue to collaborate with the State government in line with the “Building our Future Together Agenda” of the present administration to ensure government and co-stakeholders are not financially short-changed while acts of thuggery and all forms of criminality are avoided.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Gbenga Dairo represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) in the Ministry, Mr. Tosin Akinleye assured that the Ministry of Transportation alongside Industry, Trade and Investment would continue to work in synergy to address challenges inhibiting the two sectors.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola said the Ministry would not relent in its efforts at improving the mining sector by creating enabling environment for legal mining operations to thrive noting that the government was impressed with the performance of Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, Ogun State chapter as government approved quarry stone and dusts haulage collectors.
The Chairman, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State Council, Mr. Sola Aikulola and Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, Ogun State chapter, Comrade Tunde Soneye called for more regular engagement of stakeholders and speedy harmonisation of the State's taxes.
Wale Osunbiyi & Ismail Oladipo,
Press Officers, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
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