From Dennis Mernyi, Abuja

NIGERIA’S 36 states can now individually explore and exploit mineral deposits in their domains, provided they go about the exercise in manners that will not interfere with locations already given to other stakeholders, Mines and Steel Development minister, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has disclosed.

Fayemi, while acknowledging that the Federal Government enjoys exclusive rights to mine minerals across the country, noted that the constitution encourages states to either set up their own investment corporations or partner private investors to exploit minerals in their domains.

He disclosed this in Abuja, while playing host to the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo, who led a team from the state to make some requests before the Federal Government in respect of its minerals resources.

The commissioner identified the minerals in Lagos to include: limestone, silica, clay and a few other resources which abound in large commercial quantities in the country’s largest industrial hub.

According to him, “We estimate that we have limestone in the region of 12 million metric tonnes around the Epe area. We also estimate that we have silica sand of up to 200 billion cubic metric tonnes around the Ibeju-Lekki area. And the third one, which is clay, is about 180 billion cubic metric tonnes around the Lagos East.

“We’ve been carrying out various geological surveys, both aerial and on the ground, and we believe that data is key. So, when you are in a position to make that decision as to gathering data with respect to where solid minerals can be identified, we are assuring you that in Lagos, we will put our resources behind your efforts.”

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/fg-permit-states-to-explore-solid-minerals-in-their-domains/

Lalasticlala

Who is still in doubt about the CHANGE Buhari administration represent? Except there is a river blindness in the wailing communities.

Meanwhile this is another form of federalism we have been yearning for. It ripple effects will lead to competition among federating states and subsequent development that are people oriented.

Long live PMB
Long live Nigeria

Just like dat? I think he shud address us, let's hear from our presido!

Is there any constitutional backing? It is not my mouthing it off

Great development.

Now states with solid mineral can improve their IGR and rely less on federal government.

This will also create jobs of youths in such states.

A lot of untapped resources in Nigeria e.g. Bitumen in ondo state etc.

I have said before that state governors need to sponsor a bill at NASS that will empower them to legally explore solid minerals in their respective domains.

It will be a great development if such could happen so they'll be able to augment their allocations for dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

Inspectahdeck:
Great development.

Now states with solid mineral can improve their IGR and rely less on federal government.

This will also create jobs of youths in such states.

A lot of untapped resources in Nigeria e.g. Bitumen in ondo state etc.

fg has to come out and make broad based statement on this and if possible a constitutional backing should be enshrined..mere mouthing it off does not cut it.

Heading towards regionalism

Is this not a felony if implemented without constitutional amendment?


From constitutional democracy to constitutional dictatorship.

Pray for Nigeria.

TRy it without costitutional backing and find urself in kirikiri

LadyExcellency:
Is this not a treasonable felony if implemented without constitutional amendment?


From constitutional democracy to constitutional dictatorship.

Pray for Nigeria.

I think you mean "unconstitutional" and not "treasonable felony". There is a specific legal definition for that which has nothing to do with states exploring solid mineral deposits in their domains.

asha80:
fg has to come out and make broad based statement on this and if possible a constitutional backing should be enshrined..mere mouthing it off does not cut it.

did you read the story very well? pls read again

Goke7:


did you read the story very well? pls read again

I have read it said that 'fg has exclusive rights' but ' Constitution backs state government to set up corporation to exploit mineral resources in their domain'.

However my question is this how many states that really done it? Is there an unseen hand that does not really allow states to do that?

LadyExcellency:
Is this not a treasonable felony if implemented without constitutional amendment?


From constitutional democracy to constitutional dictatorship.

Pray for Nigeria.

Why are you folks like this?

Always looking for holes to pick at?

You believe they would come out with this without doing the needful? By putting it in the public domain, the Guvs & people are expected to "gently" lobby their lawmakers so they don't act as impediments!!

Think positive for once.. thank you!!

Its not possible because the constitution will need to be reviews and exploration of solid minerals will be removed from the exclusive list but if they insist why is the FG budgeting billions of naira for oil exploration in Sokoto and Borno

TheFreeOne:
I have said before that state governors need to sponsor a bill at NASS that will empower them to legally explore solid minerals in their respective domains.

It will be a great development if such could happen so they'll be able to augment their allocations for dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

The funny thing is that most of these governos have their senators in their pockets but they are just to lazy to work. As long as money comes from the ND via Abuja

Great idea. But I pray our lazy state governors who are used to been spoonfed do the necessary

asha80:
I have read it said that 'fg has exclusive rights' but ' Constitution backs state government to set up corporation to exploit mineral resources in their domain'.

However my question is this how many states that really done it? Is there an unseen hand that does not really allow states to do that?

that answered your question whether it has constitutional backing. As for the unseen hand, may be states govt need to come out and answer that, me think its a welcome development as states no longer have excuses not to raise enough IGR to pay their workers regularly.

Ecoterrorism:
Its not possible because the constitution will need to be reviews and exploration of solid minerals will be removed from the exclusive list but if they insist why is the FG budgeting billions of naira for oil exploration in Sokoto and Borno

we are talking about solid minerals here please!

The National Assembly need to amend the law, so states can go ahead.

Great Idea ...

Inspectahdeck:
Great development.

Now states with solid mineral can improve their IGR and rely less on federal government.

This will also create jobs of youths in such states.

A lot of untapped resources in Nigeria e.g. Bitumen in ondo state etc.

.....it also gives governors a lot of opportunities to embezzle funds

INCLUDING PDP GOVERNORS?THEY WILL MISUSE THESE OPPORTUNITY..

INCLUDING THE PDP GOVERNORS?THEY WILL MISUSE THESE OPPORTUNITY..

No Governor has any excuse to fail now

grafikii:

The funny thing is that most of these governos have their senators in their pockets but they are just to lazy to work. As long as money comes from the ND via Abuja

You are right. Very incompetent too.

Now that oil price has fallen through the floor they'll keep begging for bailout whilst they refused curtailing their excessiveness.

States can form companies or partner with investors. Ultimately, there will be some form of revenue sharing with the federal government which won't be under a taxation umbrella. Not the best arrangement, but a step in the right direction.

A great development. Mining should be moved to concurrent list through amendment of the constitution.

TonyeBarcanista:
A great development. Mining should be moved to concurrent list through amendment of the constitution.

That should be the long term plan. Constitutional amendment takes forever. We need some reprieve like yesterday with our messed up balance of trade.

kayfra:


That should be the long term plan. Constitutional amendment takes forever. We need some reprieve like yesterday with our messed up balance of trade.

All the same it is a welcome development!

if this is true... it's a step in the right direction ( true federalism).........meanwhile it should have some constitutional backup to avoid a possible clash between a state government and the federal government........btw is oil included ?

mynd44 I forgive you for banning me for complete 4 days without any reason at all