Alhaji, Sani Shehu, the former President, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), has advised mining stakeholders to stop the activity of foreign traders purchasing Nigerian minerals ridiculous rates.
Shehu gave the advice in a farewell address at the MAN election for new Executive Council on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria report that MAN delegates across the country in Abuja elected new executive members to pilot the affairs of the association for the next four years.
He said that some foreigners that deal on mineral products were in the habit of going to different mining sites to buy minerals at cheaper rates and export the products to different countries.
“The foreigners buy our minerals at cheaper rates and take them to their country to add value and sell them back to us at exorbitant rates.
“Stakeholders in the mining sector must continue to curb this unpleasant activity for the sector to grow,” he said.
He also called on the new executives to continue to identify and exploit funding windows within and outside Nigeria for the association; and to also link members with equipment leasing companies.
The former president said that the association had recorded many achievements during his 8 years and 6 months tenure.
Shehu said the achievements include, grants for over 50 members of the association, facilitate about 20 members who attended foreign trade fairs through the Export Promotion Council among others.
He said some of the challenges facing the association includes, funding, infrastructure, outrageous demands by mining communities, multiple taxation, multiple regulatory agency among others.
Alhaji, Kabir Kankara, the new president of the association assured that the association would witness a great turn around, create job opportunities for the youth during his tenure.
Kankara, who commended the past president promised to build on the past legacy and make corrections where necessary.
He said that the association would key into the new policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s next level.
He also promised to make the sector more productive by facilitating equipment leasing for members of the association among others.
