The federal government has given approval for the implementation of the constitutionally guaranteed 13 per cent derivation from mineral revenues to deserving states.

This will lead to fresh revenues for Kogi and Edo States, which produce limestone in large quantities, and other Nigerian states producing non-oil minerals.

According to online news medium, The Cable, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, announced this Tuesday at a two-day workshop on special purpose vehicles (SPVs) in the development of the mining sector in Sokoto.
He said the workshop would encourage beneficial participation of state governments in natural resources governance.

“We have gotten approval for the implementation of the constitutionally guaranteed 13 per cent derivation for mineral revenue to states,” Fayemi said.

“This is similar to the derivation that oil-producing states are currently enjoying from the Federation Account.”

Fayemi said that the federal government was working closely to build the capacity of state governments in the structuring of the vehicles to participate in mining in their jurisdictions.
He added that this was without undermining private sector players, nor discouraging mining enterprise within their states.

Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto State, said that the state would work with the federal government to formalise and manage the artisanal miners.
Tambuwal assured his guest that his government would also work with defence and security agencies to curb illegal mining in the state.

Bello Goronyo, the state Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources Development, said the programme was part of efforts by the federal and state governments to diversify their economies through effective use of the solid mineral resources.

Goronyo said that the state government had taken a giant stride in the drive to diversify the state’s economy through exploration, mapping and identification of the locations of the minerals in the state.