The National Union of Mining Labourers (NUMW), Niger State branch, has expressed its support for the Niger State government’s establishment of a taskforce on revenue collection.
Chairman of the union, Comrade Musa Adamu Nasko gave the assurance during a press briefing in Minna recently.
Nasko stated that now that the government has entrusted the responsibility of collecting revenues to two companies – MARUFAWA Concept and Project Limited, which will oversee and supervise the collection of revenue of Chanchaga, Shiroro, Munya, Bosso and Suleja local government areas respectively and KIFFMA Company that will take care of Magama, Mashegu and Rijau.
The union leader then called on members to cooperate with these companies, especially the businessmen in Minna market, because the state government has directed the Union to be in charge of this noble project, and the mission is for the development of the state at large.
The chairman also noted that the union is trying to connect them with all of its members of these local governments so that the work will be easier for them.
Nasko affirmed that their doors are always wide open to any project that will bring development and will help to increase the revenue sources for the government as long as the union will be given the necessary and legal mandate, promising that they are ready to assist the government in delivering its goals easily and without resistance.
He revealed that there are more than 500 mining companies doing business in Niger, but those who have presented themselves to the state authorities are less than two hundred.
He further stated that any company that is saddled with this responsibility will come in just like a blind man, because it will not have the needed guide on the job due to lack of requisite knowledge of where the workers are.
Nasko assured that they are the ones on ground and will guide whosoever comes and deliver him wherever necessary, adding that they do that due to the cordial working relationship with the state government.
The consultants will enable the state government to find out where the problems are, now that the government has lifted the embargo based on conditions, we are certain that if the state government gives all necessary support to the taskforce it will help to effectively monitor and generate revenue for the government. Because any mining company that abides by the rules and regulations will continue to work without any interference, as well as all the labourers that adhere to the rules of the union as approved by the government will continue to enjoy work without fear of arrest.
Recall that during the inauguration of the Taskforce, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba said that there are more than five hundred registered companies but more than two hundred have identified themselves with the state government. As a union, we’ll do our best to enlighten the companies and ensure that they follow the laws of the state government for security reasons which will give them the confidence to continue their work without interference.
On the local government leadership election of NUMW, the chairman said that forms will arrive at the Secretariat of the state union on the 19th of this month, therefore, whoever wants to contest for any seat at the local government level should endeavour to purchase the application form.