According to a statement by the Director of Public Enlightenment at the Ministry, Adamu Ibrahim Dabo, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Alhaji Hamza Safiyanu Kachako, received the KIRS delegation at the Ministry’s Conference Room and expressed appreciation for the visit, noting that the need for greater collaboration between the two institutions had long been overdue.
The Commissioner explained that the Ministry had worked tirelessly to develop workable policies and regulatory measures for the mining sector, with the support and political will of the present administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, including the Executive order on mining activities in the state.
Alhaji Hamza Safiyanu Kachako stressed that effective revenue collection could only be achieved through synergy, mutual understanding and respect for the statutory mandates of both institutions.
He assured the KIRS management that the Ministry was committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the collection of revenue from the sector.
" We will ensure that revenue generated from this sector goes directly into the KIRS Central Billing System. We do not want to see a penny before us. I am a professional in financial administration, having worked for 18 years in the banking sector before joining public service, " the commissioner said.
He called for the development of a clear operational framework to enhance revenue collection from the mineral resources sector, which, he noted, remained an important revenue-generating sector for the state.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of KIRS, Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Maitama, disclosed that a substantial amount of revenue was being lost through the activities of officially assigned revenue vendors, particularly in sand dredging operations.
According to him, findings by the Service indicated that as much as 80 per cent of targeted revenue was allegedly being diverted by some vendors.
'' ....this must not continue. We must work together to block leakages and ensure that revenue due to the government gets directly into the KIRS Central Billing System, " the KIRS Executive Chairman stated.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity for both institutions to clearly identify their respective mandates and establish a stronger working relationship for improved revenue generation.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Tijjani Muhammad Sharif, proposed the establishment of a joint committee comprising representatives of the Ministry and KIRS. He said the committee would work assiduously towards developing a harmonious operational framework and identifying practical measures to enhance revenue collection from the sector.
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to immediately constitute a joint committee to develop appropriate modalities for closer collaboration, improved accountability and effective revenue collection from activities within the mineral resources sector.
