Revolutionizing Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Sector: The Stewardship of Mr. Dele Alake
His natural turf would have been the Information ministry where he would huff and puff at his ex- colleagues and demand they give his principal and egbon, the President, fair coverage.
In the Solid Minerals ministry, he is playing in an unfamiliar turf and against players who don’t play by the rules. Yet, he has told us that he asked the President for that portfolio and got it. Fear the man who comes knocking on your door at 6 a.m. asking for a fight. He comes prepared ready to do battle. That kind of man is a dangerous foe. That is who Dele Alake has become to miners in Nigeria; both legal and illegal.
One of the toughest ministerial portfolio’s in this regime is that of the Minister of Solid Minerals. He is treading on very dangerous grounds. He is dealing with people who are used to mining and selling. Answerable to nobody; government, police or soldier. What ever they mine belongs to them. They have their own private armies guarding them night and day and nothing ignites loyalty like free money. Convincing them to shed their old ways and come under the umbrella of being licenced and operating under set rules and procedures which includes record keeping and paying taxes is will one heck of a job.
Every illegal miner he is able to convert is a plus and will add to the GDP of the nation.
In a few short months, since assuming office Mr. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals, has emerged as a beacon of hope in an industry plagued by illegal activities and tax evasion. He is rewriting the rule books. Setting the stage for a new era of Prosperity for a nation that has depended to much on oil.
Recognizing the immense potential of the Nigerian solid minerals sector, Mr. Alake has embarked on a mission to revive the sector through strategic partnerships, robust governance, and uncompromising tax enforcement. His unwavering commitment to reform is a game-changer that promises to chart a new path for this vital sector, fostering economic growth and sustainable development.
Addressing Dormancy and Illegal Activities
For far too long, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has suffered from inactivity, as illegal miners flourished and operated freely without contributing their fair share to the nation’s coffers. With an astute understanding of the issues at hand, Mr. Alake is diving deep into the trenches to dismantle the stronghold of illegal practices and breathe life into the sector. By doing so, he is initiating a transformative process that will safeguard the industry against unlawful exploitation while ensuring that participants finally play by the rules.
Sealing Deals with International Investors
Recognizing the need for rejuvenation through external assistance, Mr. Alake is actively engaging with international investors to bring their expertise and capital to Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. His efforts to seal deals with these investors demonstrate his determination to unlock the sector’s untapped potential. Collaborating with these carefully vetted entities will not only inject substantial funding into the industry but also introduce modern mining techniques and best practices. This partnership will help Nigerian miners transition from survivalist tactics to sustainable and efficient operations, ultimately boosting productivity and profitability.
Revamping Governance and Compliance
In his quest to reform the solid minerals sector, Mr. Alake understands that robust governance and compliance frameworks are essential. To this end, he is spearheading significant changes in the regulatory landscape, ensuring that all miners, both old and new, adhere to the highest standards of ethical and responsible mining. By holding firms accountable to their tax obligations, Mr. Alake aims to level the playing field and create an environment where all participants contribute equitably to the nation’s growth. This will enable the government to fund essential infrastructure projects, improve social services, and enhance the lives of all Nigerians.
Consequences for Tax Evasion
Recently, Mr. Alake took a decisive step towards reforming the sector by calling out over 1,000 miners who had willfully evaded taxes. This bold move demonstrates his unwavering commitment to change and sets a precedent for others who seek to profit illegally from Nigeria’s solid minerals. By rectifying this long-standing issue, Mr. Alake has sent a clear message: the era of unscrupulous practices within the sector is coming to an end. This measure will not only provide a fair playing field for compliant miners, but it will also dissuade others from engaging in unlawful activities, consequently boosting revenue generation and ensuring sustainable growth.
Charting a New Path
Mr. Dele Alake’s efforts to transform Nigeria’s solid minerals sector are truly commendable. His vision of an industry controlled by law-abiding miners, contributing their fair share to national development, holds the potential for unparalleled economic growth. By forging strategic partnerships with international investors, revamping governance frameworks, and imposing consequences for tax evasion, Mr. Alake is charting a new path that will help Nigeria tap into its vast mineral resources sustainably and responsibly.
The transformative efforts of Mr. Dele Alake are poised to revolutionize Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. Through his tenacity and dedication to change, he has brought hope to an industry that has long been plagued by illegal activities and lack of compliance. With carefully crafted partnerships, robust governance, and strict enforcement of tax obligations, Nigeria stands on the cusp of a new era in its solid minerals sector, one that promises economic prosperity, sustainable development, and a brighter future for all Nigerians.
Mr Dele Alake will fight tooth and nail to succeed. He will give it all takes, like his very life depends on it. There are many people on the sidelines who are waiting to see him fail. And to Mr Dele Alake, failure is not an option. He must win and write his name in history at all cost. In years to come. School children should be able to read about him in their social studies textbooks about the man who built the gold mines in Niger Zamfara states and chased out illegal miners all over the south west and turned the solid minerals sector into a booming industry.
That is comforting.
By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo ( The StoryTeller)
Tel; +2347054674906
Email: Nigeria360online@gmail.com
