The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative NEITI has released its latest audit report stating that the Solid minerals sector generated a total of N79.9 billion for the country in 2019.
The report presented to the Media and Civil Society Organisations by Dr Dieter Bassi, Director, Technical , NEITI on Tuesday in Lagos showed that the revenue was 13.02 per cent higher than the N69.5 billion realised in 2018.
It said the Royalties received increased from N1.96 billion in 2018 to N2.50 billion in 2019.
The 2019 report covered 74 entities, an increase from the 69 captured in 2018 while production volume rose to 59.83 million tons in 2019 compared to the 40.7 million tons recorded in 2018.
However, Export Volume production in 2019 was 7.09 million tons , a decrease of 124.75 million tons in 2018.
The report showed that Limestone, Granite and Laterite were the most produced minerals in 2019 accounting for 55.03 million tons.
Three states, Ogun, Kogi and Cross River accounted for 37.92 million tons with Ogun recording 18.65 million tons; Kogi, 12.77 million tons; and Cross River, 6.50 million tons respectively.
The report said Dangote Cement Plc contributed 25.40 per cent of the Royalties received from the sector with a payment of N635.52 million.
On export of solid minerals, the report showed that 61 companies exported solid minerals in 2019 with China being the principal destination and accounting for 95 per cent of the solid minerals exported.
It said the solid minerals sector contributed a total of N368.99 billion, representing 0.26 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which was N144.210 trillion in 2019.
The report added that the sector had contributed N917.02 billion to the economy in the last five years.
It, however, observed some challenges in the sector in the period under review including under payment of royalties and non-payment of taxes by some companies.
Others are lack of effective monitoring and supervision and slow pace in development of metallic minerals resulting in potential losses in revenue to government.
in his remarks, Executive Secretary, NEITI ,Dr Ogbonnaya Orji said the mandate of NEITI was to improve transparency and accountability in the extractive industry for the benefit of Nigerians.
Orji noted that though the NEITI Act of 2007 was focused on the oil and gas industry, the agency was now moving toward solid minerals which were abundant in the country.
He added that the 2020 report of the solid minerals sector would be released in September.
