The Kogi Government has pledged to explore and harness all the state’s mineral resources to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the growth and development of the state.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Alhaji Bashiru Gegu, made the pledge on Tuesday while defending his ministry’s 2024 budget before the state lawmakers at the House of Assembly in Lokoja.
Gegu, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Hannah Ujah, said: “Solid mineral ministry is capable of generating the needed revenues that could lead to the growth and development of the state in 2024 and beyond.
“It’s unfortunate that over the years government has not given the mineral deposits that we are blessed with the desired attention and exploit.
“But thank God, the government has risen to the challenge, and has ingeniously created three revenue items——mining, milling and quarrying fees——to be exploited to raise the state’s revenue base.
“It’s our hope that these fees will go a long way in generating tremendous revenue for the state, more so that there are lots of mineral resources hidden all over the state,” he said.
The commissioner, however, appealed to the house to grant the ministry approval for the collection of haulage fees, being collected by Kogi Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), since 2022.
“The haulage fee is one of the major sources of revenue for the ministry,” he said
On the ministry’s challenges, Gegu said that it lacked geological field equipment and staff, especially technical staff and security personnel that could assist in tackling criminal elements.
Responding, House Committee Chairperson on Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Mrs Ishaya Adeleye, assured the ministry of their support in carrying out its duties.
Adeleye charged the ministry to double its efforts in generating more revenues for the state.
She commended Gov. Yahaya Bello’s led-administration for stopping illegal mining activities in the state.
