FG To Revive Economy Through Mineral Sector

By Georgina Humphrey

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake has reiterated Federal Government’s committed to reviving the nation’s economy through its vast mineral resources.

Dr. Alake made this known at the second International Conference of the Nigerian Society of Economy Geologist, NSEG, in Abuja.

Dr. Alake who was represented by the Director of Artistinal and Small-scale Miners in the ministry, Yunusa Muhammad stressed that the present administration would continue to provide all that is needed for accurate acquisition of geoscience data for development of the sector and the country’s economy.

“The completion of the NIMEP project phase one and the commencement of phase two is a testatioñ to the administration’s unwavering efforts to continue to provide the much needed geoscientific data for the growth of the mining industry in Nigeria” Dr. Alake added.

The minister further added that the recent achievements in the mining sector can not be overemphasized as it has started yielding global interest in mineral exploration and mining in Nigeria.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, Dr. Abdulrazaq Garba, stated that geological data is key to development of the mining sector.

Dr. Garba stressed that no meaningful development can be achieved in the mining sector without the acquisition of reliable and up-to-date geological data.

He added that the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists has played a vital role in the generation of geo-scientific data needed to woo investors into the solid mineral industry in Nigeria.

“As part of the ongoing efforts at repositioning the mineral sector, the government places very high premium on the generation and acquisition of reliable geo-scientific data which is necessary in our quest to attract both local and foreign investors in the mineral sector” Dr. Garba stated.

“The acquisition of reliable and up-to-date geological data is a key ingredient in the overall development of the minerals and mining sector, as no meaningful investment in the sector can take place without them”.

” It is heartwarming to note that members of the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists have played a vital role in the generation of geoscientific data needed to woo investors into the solid mineral industry in Nigeria”.

“The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency over the years has played a leading role in the execution of exploration projects, that gave birth to many mining endeavours. The attendant benefits of these mining companies to the nation’s economy include employment and foreign exchange generation, poverty reduction, wealth creation, infrastructural development and an increase in the availability of raw materials for local industries”.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Economic diversification in Nigeria: The role of the minerals and mining sector”.

Edited By Grace Namiji