By Benjamin Umuteme
Abuja
The revenues reported by the government from the solid minerals sector in 2015 amounted to N69.20 billion from N55.81 billion, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said. In Its 2015 Mineral Audit report released on Sunday, stated that the amount represents a 23.98 per cent increase. According to NEITI, this is due mainly to the growth in the amount of taxes paid to FIRS and increase in royalty rates effective from the middle of the year. “These include the reconciled revenue amounting to N63.831 billion and unilateral disclosure by government amounting to N632.449Million,” the report said. According to the data provided by the Mines Inspectorate Department (MID) of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals, total production across the whole solid minerals sector in 2015 was 39.27 million tonnes lower than the 47.1 million tonnes produced the previous year or a 19.9 per cent decrease. Also, there was a general decrease in production for all minerals except shale which conversely increased by 32 per cent to 1.076 million tons in 2015. The value of exports of solid minerals in 2015 was $9.733 million out of which Lead/Zinc accounted for about 79.62 per cent with FOB value of $7.749 million. Also, 175 Ounces of Gold valued at $122,500 was exported in the year under review. Stop hailing China on uncritical importation , IGU tasks Africans By Adeola Tukuru Abuja Vice President, Industrial Global Union Africa, Comrade Issa Aremu, has called on African countries to revive their manufacturing sector and stop wholesale importation of goods and services from China. Aremu told newsmen yesterday in Abuja said Africa must copy china’s industrialisation drive which has within 20 years moved over 250 million people out of poverty through manufacturing and industrialisation. According to him, many African countries have robust documents and policies on industrialisation and diversification, yet few existing industries are closing with mass job losses. The Vice president further said it’s time South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Zimbabwe and others worked the policies and add value to the continent abundant raw materials. He said there are three leading economies in Africa, Nigeria which worth some $406 billion, Egypt $332.3 billion and South Africa $294.billiin . “However in terms of manufacturing value added South Africa at 25percent, Egypt at 20 percent are ahead of Nigeria with less than 5 percent,” he said. Aremu explained that Africa Industrialisation Day (AID) is a significant day declared by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) adding that it is an annual platform for Governments, businesses and organised labour linked to Industrial development ti examine ways and means to stimulate Africa Industralisation Day process. According to him, the broad theme for 2017 Africa Industrialisation Day is “African Industrial Development : A pre condition for effective and sustainable continental free trade area” He said as part of activities to mark the 2017 Africa Industrialisation Day (AID) will commence a mass rally within the city centre on Monday with officials of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Ministry of Trade and Investment, manufacturers, stakeholders and members of Africa affiliates of Industrials which will March for been fixation and Indusrtaizqtiin of African economies.
