Federal Government Trains Plateau Youths in Small-Scale Mining
In an endeavour to address the decline in revenue within the solid mineral sector, the Federal Government has implemented a training programme for 120 youths and women in Plateau State, focusing on artisanal and small-scale mining.
Conducted over the course of a week, the programme was organized by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme. This capacity-building effort aimed to formalize the activities of stakeholders in the solid minerals sector with the goal of enhancing revenue generation.
Mr Ajasin Tokunbo, the Chairman of RMAFC’s Research and Development Committee, expressed concern over the sector’s low contribution to Nigeria’s revenue, attributing it to the informal nature of many operations. He highlighted the significant decrease in revenue from the solid mineral sector compared to the hydrocarbon sector, which sustained the Nigerian economy in the 1970s.
The training programme was initiated to alter this narrative by formalizing the operations of artisanal miners in Plateau State, with the goal of increasing revenue from the sector into the Federation account and diversifying the Nigerian economy as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The initiative aims to encourage informal Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASMs) to formalize their activities in order to contribute more substantially to the federation account. The effort also underscores the need to address the challenges faced by ASMs and enhance collaboration with subnational governments.
The representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Yahya, reiterated the world body’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development goals. Upon the conclusion of the training, the UNDP donated machines and equipment to the 120 artisanal miners who were selected from six cooperatives in the state.
The Managing Director of Plateau Minerals Development Company, Martins Darwan, expressed gratitude for the federal government and the development partners for their support. He also appealed to the government to consider repurposing the various mining ponds in different communities for more productive uses, such as power generation.
This initiative represents a concerted effort to create a more formalized and productive small-scale mining sector. By providing training and support, the government seeks to boost revenue from the solid mineral sector and ensure that artisanal miners can contribute effectively to the economy without being exploited by larger operators.
In conclusion, the formalization of the small-scale mining sector in Plateau State is an important step towards diversifying Nigeria’s economy and increasing its revenue sources. The collaboration between the government, development partners, and local stakeholders demonstrates a commitment to sustainable economic development and the empowerment of communities involved in artisanal and small-scale mining.
