*Engr Jimoh delivers his inaugural address
The Edo State chapter of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for its collaboration with the association to reduce incidences of illegal mining activities in the state.
Edo MAN said an open and frank engagement with the NSCDC has led to friction between and genuine miners, reducing incidents of harassments of miners transporting their products, particularly during the early and mid-parts of last year.
The commendation came from the State Executive Council of MAN during the association’s maiden Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, 29th April 2026 at Auchi. The meeting unanimously ratified the nomination of Engr. Fatai Jimoh as State Acting Chairman and Comrade Sunny Ifijen as State Acting Secretary.
In his opening address, Engr Jimoh noted that last year’s disagreement with the NSCDC were largely linked to the enforcement of royalty payments on pulverized materials, adding that the deployment of Special Marshals to monitor trucks transporting solid minerals unfortunately led to challenges for its members at the time.
The leadership said it acted promptly, engaging relevant authorities to address these concerns. While discussions are still ongoing, there has been a marked improvement in the situation and reports of harassment have significantly declined, and our members are now able to transport their goods with far fewer disruptions, the association’s chairman, Fatai Jimoh said.
“The deployment of special marshals to check trucks conveying solid minerals has resulted in undue harassment and extortion of our members,” Jimoh said
“Recent developments indicate that such incidents have been minimal, reflecting the positive impact of sustained engagement and improved coordination with the supervisory ministry,” he said. “We are encouraged by this progress and remain confident that ongoing collaboration with the Ministry and MAN National will establish lasting measures to fully prevent any recurrence.”
In attendance at the AGM were the Permanent Secretary of the State’s Ministry of Mining and a Director, both representing the honorable Commissioner; the Zonal Mines Coordinator (South-south); the Manager of First Bank Auchi branch; Representatives of Nigerian Revenue Service; and other Invited guest speakers and esteemed members of our Association. In total, about 82 persons were in attendance.
In his Opening speech, Engr. Fatai Jimoh, gave stewardship account of the state Exco and achievements in the past two years, management of relationship with government and regulating agencies, and challenges. Top among this was the successful management of the relationship between the association and the Mining Marshal.
He further explained that one of the major disputes centered on royalty payments for pulverized dolomite, a matter the association’s leadership had escalated to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development through official correspondence.
“The contentious issue of royalty payment on pulverized dolomite was decisively addressed by the state executives, and the matter is currently receiving due attention from the minister,” he added.
Jimoh also disclosed that the association was working to resolve controversies surrounding marble royalty, noting that studies had shown minerals found in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area were more accurately classified as calcite rather than marble.
He said efforts were ongoing to secure proper classification and gazetting of calcite by the Federal Government while also exploring affordable and sustainable energy alternatives to reduce operational costs for miners.
After extensive deliberations, the house unanimously adopted the following resolutions:
* Opening of Association Account: A new operational account shall be opened with First Bank Plc, Auchi Branch for the Association. Engr. Fatai Jimoh and Comrade Sunny Ifijen are approved as signatories to the account. This is pending resolution of accessibility issues with the previously held account, after which both accounts shall be harmonized.
* Membership & Dues: The house reaffirmed that recognized membership of MAN is predicated on payment of annual dues, now reviewed to ₦250,000 per annum. All members are urged to comply promptly to sustain the Association’s activities.
* Product Pricing Harmonization: In response to current power challenges and rising cost of alternative energy, a committee shall be set up to review and harmonize product pricing across all zones to ensure profitability and sustainability.
* Taxation & Security: The house called on the three tiers of government and relevant agencies to harmonize and sanitize the multiplicity of taxes affecting mining businesses.
The Zonal Mining Officer was also urged to beef up security across operational sites through the deployment of mining marshals.
* Improved Engagement with Regulatory Agencies: The house noted the progressive improvement in compliance and relationship between NSCDC and miners during mineral transportation, which is positively impacting royalty payments in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration. The house encouraged continued proactive engagement with all regulatory bodies.
Also addressing the AGM, the Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Mining, Mrs Omoruyi Ese Martina, called for stronger collaboration between the ministry and mining operators.
“We are a regulatory ministry, and we should be working with the association to develop mining in Edo.
“We are committed to putting in place laws that will guide mining activities and ensure the sector thrives,” Martina said.
