By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA FCT – The federal government said it has set up a fact-finding team to look into the claims and counter-claims between the Osun State Government and Thor Explorations Limited, the owners of Segilola Resources Operating Limited, regarding taxation and operational disputes between them and restore industrial harmony,
The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake disclosed this on Friday via his X account, further hinted that the team will be led by Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and will include representatives from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
Alake emphasized that the Federal Government has been actively promoting investment opportunities in the solid minerals sector around the world. Adding that it is crucial to recognize that closing down mining operations by subnational governments could jeopardize our efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and may even lead to divestment by existing companies.
According to him, mining falls under the exclusive legislative list, and the Ministry of Solid Minerals should be consulted before any disruptive actions are taken.
The Minister reiterated his commitment to increasing productive activities across the nation to boost economic growth, create jobs, and support community development. Any halt in industrial production undermines our goals for economic prosperity, deprives workers of their income, and contributes to further hardship, he said.
He therefore urged both parties to cooperate with the fact-finding team and allow production to continue while we work through these issues.
“It is essential that both parties pursue peace and industrial harmony for the benefit of the workers and their families who could be negatively affected by the closure of operations at the factory, he stated.
