₦airaland Forum

Agbegbaorogboye:
See, the only reason I keep replying you is because I want to reinforce into your dull head that you fooled no one. Government says they bought something from illegal miners. You're saying it's not so. Prove it. Wahala show. You see your life.
As long as you can't prove your claim you're just wasting your time

Agbegbaorogboye:
Stop being a political asslicker

Agbegbaorogboye:
They were formalised by you in your village. While the state that bought gold from them just called them illegal miners.
You can eat your website. I don't need it. You're exposed stupidity is enough comic relief.

Agbegbaorogboye:
Stop being a political houseboy

Agbegbaorogboye:
At least you can rest now, seeing that the state govt have now clearly come out to say the gold does not belong to them. Or are you going to force the gold they say does not belong to them on them to fit your narrative?
Now I see why you're an ignoramus. Your ability to think and reason logically is below par. I can now understand you better.

Agbegbaorogboye:
Stop bandying foolishness about in the name of a website. Bring out the names of the former illegal miners who are now legal. I thought you were there when they were formalized. Idiot

Agbegbaorogboye:
Show that they are legal. You've been claiming to have their names. No legal miner will sell gold to bandits. Get that into your thick skull. If they do, then their licenses will be withdrawn and they get charged to court as expected. Seems you were in a cage when the IG suspended mining in zamfara due to those same bandits. Your ignorance is nauseating.
Anyways the ministry has come out to say the gold does not belong to zamfara so your argument is as dead as dodo.
Is the joint tax board the RMAFC now? Or does it tell the fg what to do as regards who should collect what? I've shown you now that states can't collect mining fees or royalties, you're bringing in jtb. You're just too ignorant abeg

Agbegbaorogboye:
Blue3k
I've told you consistently that you're just an ignoramus spewing nonsense. Come and read from the state now calling those people they are buying from illegal miners, confirming what the ministry said and also confirming that they own no gold.
I hope you can rest from your stupid arguments now

He stressed, however, that the state government has currently banned the mining activities in the state, adding that, “anybody who wants to venture into mining activities should obtain a permit from the federal government”.

The commissioner said mineral resources belonged to the federal government, as such, anybody who wants to partake in mining activities must obtain a license from the Federal government.

The commissioner maintained that the state government only used to buy the gold from the illegal miners in order to prevent the commodity from being smuggled out of the country or sold out to bandits.

Agbegbaorogboye:
You are still exhibiting the same symptom. In one breath you claim the illegal miners obtained mining lease. Now you're claiming it's the govt that formalised them under pagmi and went and brought an article to support your claim. So which do we believe now? You're just looking to spread confusion.
I hope you're aware the federal govt sometime ago said those fees being collected by the state is illegal and will be deducted from their allocation.
That's beside the fact that in a fully dull manner, you left out "where applicable" in your quote.
The question still remains. Show that it's the illegal miners that were captured or registered under pagmi. Let's discountenance the crime aspect. Stop posting irrelevant articles. Give us the names of the miners and their cooperatives

Agbegbaorogboye:
You're still beating about the bush. Show evidence that the said miners who were supplying bandits gold have now been registered by the ministry, you start foaming at the mouth.
The ministry released a statement that the state was buying gold from miners who used to sell to bandits and you start saying another thing.
You're the one who is claiming the miners have been registered. You copied a small scale mining lease, then you jumped to formalization, all that na beating about the bush. Simple, show evidence that the illegal miners are those who have been registered.
You're the one who needs to scavenge for evidence to refute what is in your op.
The ministry already told zamfara that the gold does not belong to them but the Federal govt. Yet, here you are sweating to prove they did the right thing when the ministry in charge has clearly dissociated itself from it.
What you need to do is simple to show you have the knowledge of what you claim to.
Show that the miners are registered by the ministry.
Show that the state now owns the gold
Show that the state has the right to tax gold miners for mining gold.
Simple!! All this your self-dribble leads nowhere. It impresses nobody but if it impresses your deluded self then no qualms
I already told you the tax is for land use and not mining the limestone. Go and get informed on the difference.

the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) is being implemented. The components of the initiative included but not limited to Formalization of the artisanal miners into cooperatives This is to integrate their activities into the economic and institutional framework that would eliminate illegality; Registration of Buying Centres and Aggregators, to provide market access for artisanal miners, etc.

Agbegbaorogboye:
You're just lying through your teeth.
Read the quoted again. First they're no longer criminals and their old sins have been forgiven through formalization. You didn't tell me we now have amnesty for illegal miners.
Second, they said they never sold to bandits.
Show us where they said they never sold to bandits. The ministry and the state said they did, you're the only one who says they didn't.
That shows how dull you are.
I've challenged you already to show us the names of the local miners' coy which was registered with the ministry.
Even the state did not get a mining license. What they did was get a company with a buying license to buy for them.
You're either confused or looking to create confusion.
There's nothing anywhere to buttress your claims other than quoting laws whose provisions were not met.
Show us where it's written in our laws that you can drill oil and sell first before getting a license. You're just a funny dude defending rubbish. Those illegal miners are also stealing just like the bunkers. There's no better stealing in our laws.
In case you don't know, Ogun state can only collect tax for the use of the land not the resources there which belongs to the federal government. It's the ministry of mines/FIRS that collects the tax for the limestone. They're also the one who grants licenses for its operation. The tax is then remitted to the federation account which is then shared between all the states, LG and fed. It is that sharing now that zamfara is circumscribing. I hope you can understand these little things now.

Agbegbaorogboye:
Chai!!
Is there anyone who knows this guy's local language let them come and help him out. You read with your own eyes that the miners were selling gold to bandits which makes their activities illegal, and which led to the state engaging a "licensed buying centre" to buy the gold from them so as to prevent them from selling to the bandits and yet you refuse to see what is clearly starring at your nose!!



Oya can you give us the names of the legal miners since you're more informed than even the ministry that is supervising mining. Can you show were it is written that the miners were paying taxes?

Is there something else you know or you're attached to that you're not saying? You've seen people complain on this same thread you opened why bunkerers are arrested while these miners are being pampered and empowered. Where did you think that angst is coming from?
If only you used google translator to translate the op you posted to your local language, it would have saved you all the time you've wasted so far here.
As you should have seen already, the state with the most mining is Ogun. If the mining could be converted to a state revenue pipeline, why do you think Ogun has not taken over the limestone in their area? This whole shenanigan reeks of the injustice and tribal bigotry that pervades the Nigerian space especially under this administration.
Bros I tire for you o

What is bunkering?

The term bunkering encompasses all acts involving oil theft, including diversion and smuggling of oil and unauthorized loading of ships. One common process requires tapping into an oil pipeline and transporting the oil elsewhere to be sold internationally or refined locally. In order to access the oil, a small group of welders will puncture a pipeline at night, establishing a tapping point from which the group can operate.

Agbegbaorogboye:
Your problem is trying to use legality to cover up illegality. If you had read the OP you posted, all the nonsense you're quoting around will be of no use. Let me share a quote for you:



Note the bolded. It clearly shows that the artisans were involved in a criminal enterprise of mining illegally and selling to bandits. The ministry and the state then excuse their criminal behavior by claiming they were ignorant!!
Simple question. Which mining cooperative that is duly licensed by the ministry and registered with CAC and paying tax and royalties will be selling gold to bandits?
Is selling gold to bandits not economic sabotage and a crime in itself? That's the basics you should first provide answers to before you go into defending the actions of Zamfara state govt.
Or are you saying since the govt has now embraced them, their former crimes against the state is no longer important?
Your initial claim from the NEITI article is that it's the same artisanal miners who have been remitting to FIRS. I hope you can understand from this quote now that it is clearly not so.
I'm waiting for your explanation on this, our knowledgeable nairaland mining expert

Agbegbaorogboye:
Lol. You're sounding very confused.
What company is called "local artisanal miners"?
What's their registration code with CAC and where are their remittances with FIRS?
I already told you that you're clutching at straws.
Go back and read the op you posted and see the crux of the matter.
Zamfara state converted illegal miners to legal miners by fiat and went ahead to sell the gold to the CBN as its own.
You're bringing up a report of mining activities that covered 2015 to 2018 to justify 2020 activities.
Thought you said states make remittances into the federation account.
I wonder who you think you're deceiving.
FYI, that your article clearly shows that over 80% mining activities is in the SW where limestone is mined by cement manufacturers.
You have deceived no one but yourself!!

A Small Scale Mining Lease:

A Small Scale Mining Lease covers an area not exceeding 3 square kilometers and requires its holders to carry out effective rehabilitation of the mined out areas to the satisfaction of the MECD and pay prescribed fees. The Government through the Ministry shall provide certain extension services to duly registered and performing mining co-operatives of small scale artisinal miners to include amongst other services prospecting and exploration services to determine the geological setting, structure, nature of occurrence, quantity and quality of minerals being mined, provision of environmental impact assessment report and detailed guidelines on waste and tailing disposal and holding regular workshops to update miners knowledge on legal, marketing, business skills and infrastructural support.3

Agbegbaorogboye:
What manner of insolence is dis?
How exactly does this prove the legality or otherwise of zamfara gold mining?
Or do you mean the artisanal miners who were selling to bandits were returning profits to the federation account?
This is cheap ignorance!!
You're just clutching at straws.

Agbegbaorogboye:
What tax does the state remit to federal govt?
Even the payee, the federal govt collects on behalf of states. So tell me the tax states collect and remit to the federation account

Atlas9:
The issue of oil is what is on the table. If the FG has total control of hydrocarbons, why is Zamfara in charge of gold?
Your 'get off your butt' retort is symptomatic of shortsightedness and ignorant of the indomitable nature of the human spirit.
This onesided way of doing things that favours only the north will explode catastrophically, unless the imbalance is addressed. Don't assume that it will continue unchallenged forever.

Agbegbaorogboye:
What is going on is illegal to start with and another example of govt by the north. Don't be deceived. States don't pay money into federation account. They have their own accounts separate for their IGRs. If not, let the MoF show us the receipts for the remittance of the gold purchase by Zamfara govt into the Fed account.

Paretomaster1:
Correct! I don't know why prople are do desperate to create unnecessary rancor, amd. Infusion, when the message is obviously clear...

Zamfara state does nit owe the Gold in Zamfara, it only buy from licemced miners.... Gold is being mined in other parts of Nigeria for years no one is making any noise...

People should do well to research before jumping into conclusion..

9jaRealist:
YES! For example, Lagos owns Ibile Oil & Gas, Bayelsa owns Bayelsa Oil Corporation, while Rivers owns 45% of OML 11.
>

nsiba:
.

The SS will be guided in their approach just like they have always been in resource control and derivation, their steps will be directed by the people of the region and the best of professionals in various fields and not by a brainless government saturated with all manners of spin Doctors....

seguno2:
You don’t get it.
Why should the state apply to the federal government for license to explore and exploit mineral resources in its area?
Do the 36 states apply for license to grow crops and graze animals on the land due to the natural resources for agricultural purposes?
Do you now get it

Section 44(3) states "the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in, under or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria, shall vest in the Government of the Federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly."

nsiba:
.

Slander! Come do you live in Nigeria? Is it this government, ministries and agencies that tells lies like Satan you say is being slandered.
Do you get to hear any truth from them?
Plz don't use that word to cover for a government that is inefficient in everything, from information dissemination to every other thing

nsiba:
.

It is no noise, this is why you are seeing all manner of noise coming outta the Federal Government, CBN and the ministry.
They are now panicking Luke rabbits with no clear cut statement

nsiba:
.

So can't there be "Artisanal Oil miners" too?
What is all this coloration of names?

Commonsense99:
If PAGMI was just formed this 2019, who registered the artisan criminals of yesteryears? Haven't we heard rumours of how illegal cartels control that mining with government looking the other way?

Dude we all know the government had always handled the issue of illegal mining with kid gloves in relation to oil bunkering.

Nigeria: An Overview Of The Nigerian Minerals And Mining Act 2007
A Small Scale Mining Lease:

A Small Scale Mining Lease covers an area not exceeding 3 square kilometers and requires its holders to carry out effective rehabilitation of the mined out areas to the satisfaction of the MECD and pay prescribed fees. The Government through the Ministry shall provide certain extension services to duly registered and performing mining co-operatives of small scale artisinal miners to include amongst other services prospecting and exploration services to determine the geological setting, structure, nature of occurrence, quantity and quality of minerals being mined, provision of environmental impact assessment report and detailed guidelines on waste and tailing disposal and holding regular workshops to update miners knowledge on legal, marketing, business skills and infrastructural support.3

https://www.mondaq.com/nigeria/mining/95916/an-overview-of-the-nigerian-minerals-and-mining-act-2007

Commonsense99:
This is the point, there is no difference between the guy who steals from government oil pipeline without permission and the guy who digs gold for years without permission.

Who gave the artisan miners licences to dig supposed government gold deposits for decades ? The ministry implicated itself by accepting that PAGMI is just beign formed to register artisan criminals who have been having a field day, why attack their Niger delta counterparts?
This is not to say I support such act, no I don't, but what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

The Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (“PAGMI”) is a comprehensive artisanal and small-scale gold mining development programme, launched in 2019 to foster the formalization and integration of artisanal gold mining activities into Nigeria’s legal, economic, and institutional framework.

What is bunkering?

The term bunkering encompasses all acts involving oil theft, including diversion and smuggling of oil and unauthorized loading of ships. One common process requires tapping into an oil pipeline and transporting the oil elsewhere to be sold internationally or refined locally. In order to access the oil, a small group of welders will puncture a pipeline at night, establishing a tapping point from which the group can operate.

https://www.cfr.org/blog/primer-nigerias-oil-bunkering

favor914:
only oblivious people would have believed the rumor, the provisions of the constitution is cardinal.

The Federal Government encourages state governments to be part of the exploitation of minerals in the country by incorporating a limited liability company with which to approach the Ministry for a license for Mining or Buying Centres.

By Gabriel Ewepu

Abuja — The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Thursday, debunked claims over the alleged sale of gold by the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Etore Thomas, and made available to Vanguard, with the subject, 'Zamfara Gold: Putting the Facts Right'.

According to the statement, people are seemingly portraying that some states in the country have right to aggregate minerals resources within their domain for their use, which is not true as all mineral resources remain on the Exclusive Legislative list as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The statement also pointed that for the benefit of doubt, Section 44(3) states "the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in, under or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria, shall vest in the Government of the Federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly." Likewise the Mineral Act of 2007 is very clear on issue of minerals ownership and exploitation.

According to the statement, it is in line with this that the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is saddled with the responsibility for identifying the nation's solid minerals, advising the government on the formulation and execution of laws and regulations guiding the various stages of prospecting, quarrying, and mining, and handling sale and consumption of solid minerals in the country, through the issuance of permits, licenses, leases and collection of rents, fees, and royalties.

The statement reads in part, "The attention of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has been drawn to media reports on reactions of individuals and groups to the purported news report about Zamfara State Governor buying gold from artisanal miners in the state and selling same to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Ordinarily, the Ministry would have been silent but for the negative impression those views are portraying; seemingly that states in some parts of the country have right to aggregate minerals resources within their domain to their use.

"On Zamfara State gold; Zamfara State has security challenges and the State government discovered that bandits were exploiting the ignorance of the artisanal miners, buy off their gold at very cheap price, take the gold across the border and sell at market price and exchange for ammunitions and guns, which was fueling banditry.

"Zamfara State government through a registered company, with a buying centre license is now buying gold from the artisanal miners at market price. This has no doubt discouraged the artisanal miners in the state from selling to bandits.

"Though states through their licensed corporate bodies can buy and sell gold to any interested persons or company, it is worthy of note that CBN did not and will not buy gold from Zamfara Government.

"The gold displayed by the Zamfara State government is called dore bars (semi-processed gold). CBN buys gold that is processed to 99.99% purity which is LBMA standard, tradable all over the world.

"The Federal Government encourages state governments to be part of the exploitation of minerals in the country by incorporating a limited liability company with which to approach the Ministry for a license for Mining or Buying Centres.

"Such corporate body/company must go through normal processes for approval and issuance of license. This license allows such company to exploit minerals in any given location which is called Cadastre Unit."

The statement also explained that "As part of strategies to implement policies/programmes in the Mining Sector to broaden revenue generation and employment opportunities in line with the economic diversification agenda of this administration, the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) is being implemented. The components of the initiative included but not limited to Formalization of the artisanal miners into cooperatives This is to integrate their activities into the economic and institutional framework that would eliminate illegality; Registration of Buying Centres and Aggregators, to provide market access for artisanal miners, etc.

"Like in the oil and gas sector, revenues generated from mineral resources are paid into the federation account, and shared among the states during the monthly meeting of Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC). 13% derivation is paid on mineral resources exploitation from minerals producing states as done in the oil and gas sector."

BuharisBoy:
The 13% derivation given to the oil producing states should be abolished and all states and Nigerians should be treated equally.