‘Be proactive, prioritize staff welfare to address sharp practices,’ Lawmakers tell MCO

The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has called on the Management of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO) to adopt upbeat strategies in the pursuit of its mandate, noting that sharp practices among staff can be curbed when Management improves staff welfare.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Jonathan Gbefi Gaza who spoke during the visit of the Committee to the Agency, on oversight, on Tuesday, called on the management of the Agency to review the process of mining consent agreement with host communities, noting that if reviewed to accommodate emerging concerns, it will facilitate the realization of set goals.

“So in order to discourage short, sharp practices in the system, it is very necessary that the staff and the environment be well incentivized,” he said.

He assured that the Committee will prevail on the Minister of Solid Minerals Development to ensure that NMCO becomes an institution of utmost service delivery, adding that in addition to ICT, the Agency needs adequate funding and should embrace other methods and channels that will maximize the realization of its mandate.

The Committee Chairman therefore pledged the readiness of the Committee to improve the allocations to the NMCO, stating: “So I want to assure you, that one of the reasons we started our oversight with the agencies before meeting the minister. We will make a very strong case for MCO to make sure that funds are adequately provided for MCO to thrive. So, I believe it is something that should be done.”

He commended the agency’s contribution to the national GDP, saying that it would have achieved more if it was adequately funded.

The lawmakers, who took turns to speak, further pledged to secure increased budgetary allocations for the agency to improve its operations.

According to the lawmakers, the mineral licensing Agency in Ghana is an example of how NMCO may be adequately funded, noting that Ghana’s Cadastre Agency is entitled to a well defined portion of the revenue it generates.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, NMCO, Mr. Simon Obadiah Nkom, assured that the agency operates in line with global best practices, stating that its mode of operation is in consonance with NEITI and EFCC among others.

Nkom, a Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), said transparency and accountability have remained the watchwords of the Agency while he commended the Committee for its commitment to advancement of the sector.

“The Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office has signed a memorandum of understanding with the EFCC, DSS, NEITI and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that title holders are not involved in fraudulent activities.

The Director General appealed to the Committee to increase the budgetary allocation of the agency, saying that it will enable smooth running of the organization.

In his appeal to the Committee, the Director General said: “A small collection for the agency will help in the running of its activities after generating over 40 per cent of the sectoral revenue,” adding that the budget of the NMCO is too low in terms of appropriation.”

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