Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has stressed the need for a harmonious relationship between state governments and mining operators to attract investment and boost the nation’s mining sector.

Dr. Alake stated this during a mediation parley with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and representatives from Segilola Resources Operating Limited, SROL, his office in Abuja.

The Minister who emphasized that solid minerals play a central role in the federal government’s economic diversification agenda noted that efforts in this regard would be jeopardized in a sector riddled with conflicting policies and strained relations between operators and state governments.

“In a business environment with multiplicity of regulatory authorities, foreign investors are discouraged” Alake noted.

Dr. Alake who called for an amicable resolution of the dispute between Osun State and SROL, emphazied that the state stands to benefit from an environment that promotes industrial harmony, eases the business climate that would lead to increased revenue and attract foreign direct investment (FDI).

“Investors prefer countries where regulations are clear, streamlined and consistent. It is trite to emphasize that solid minerals belong exclusively in the federal government’s purview but when sub national governments issue conflicting directives, it deters the critical investments needed to grow the mining sector” the Minister added.

On his part, the Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke who appreciated the minister’s intervention, expressed the state’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business while ensuring that ethical standards are upheld.

Gov Adeleke reiterated readiness to reach a compromise with the company to ensure smooth mining operations in the state.

In his presentation, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Mining and Mineral Resources, Prof. Lukman Jimoda, Special outlined the key issues at the heart of the dispute, to include disputed tax claims (particularly Pay As You Earn, PAYE), the state’s shareholding in the company, environmental concerns, and the broader economic interests Osun should gain from Segilola’s operations.

Highlights of the meeting was the presentation of the state’s shareholding certificate to Governor Adeleke by Segilola Resources Limited.

The meeting was attended by Governor Adeleke, Prof. Jimoda; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Olawale Rasheed, and other government officials. Segilola was represented by MD/CEO, Segun Lawson; Country Director, Austin Menegbo; Non-Executive Directors Folorunsho Adeoye and Kayode Aderinokun.

The organised labour has warned that it may be forced to take decisive action that could disrupt national economic activities if the state of emergency declared in Rivers State is not reversed within a reasonable timeframe.

The threat was issued in a statement jointly signed by the Rivers State chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Alex Agwanwor, state chairperson of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Ikechukwu Onyefuru and chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council, JNC, Chuku Emecheta.

The labour unions raised concerns about the legality, economic impact and consequences of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

They described the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara, deputy governor, Ngozi Odu and House of Assembly members as premature and baseless.

The union leaders insisted that the people of Rivers State freely elected these officials, and any attempt to remove them outside constitutional processes undermines democracy.

According to the labour leaders, such actions must be reversed to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.

They highlighted the immediate hardship the state of emergency has caused for local government workers, many of whom have yet to receive their salaries.

The statement noted that withholding workers’ wages has exposed them to avoidable economic suffering, particularly at a time when the cost of living is already high.

The organised labour warned that the state of emergency could have devastating economic consequences, emphasising Rivers State’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region.

It said with the nation already grappling with inflation, naira devaluation, high exchange rates, rising unemployment and skyrocketing living costs, further instability in Rivers State could worsen the situation nationwide.

The statement also pointed out that the political uncertainty caused by the state of emergency has driven away potential investors who had expressed interest in the state’s economic initiative.

“This loss of investment is damaging the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and will have long-term consequences for economic development and employment opportunities in the region.

“While we acknowledge the need for maintaining law and order, such actions must be carried out within the framework of the Nigerian Constitution. Suspending elected officials and allegedly disrupting salary payments for workers violate fundamental rights and could worsen security and economic challenges.

“Let the Federal Government prioritize the safety and welfare of citizens over political interests. Any governance approach that sacrifices workers’ well-being for political maneuvers would only heighten tensions and resistance,” organized labour said.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala has hit back at former presidential candidate, Peter Obi over his remarks about democratic governance in Nigeria.

According to him, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) is a failed politician who does not have a history of democratic activism.

The presidential aide said this in an X post on Tuesday in reaction to Obi’s recent remark about the state of democracy under the Bola Tinubu presidency.

Speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja on Monday, Obi said progress made since the nation’s return to democratic rule in 1999 has been eroded.

Responding, Bwala said, “It is funny how failed politicians are trying to redefine democracy.

“Peter Obi said democracy has collapsed. Does he even know the meaning of democracy?

“When people were fighting for democracy, Gregory was buying and selling. He doesn’t have a history of any democratic activism from his school days to date.

“His expertise lies in instigating hate speech and vitriol. Talk Is cheap.”