Data Key To Success In Solid Minerals Sector

By Georgina Humphrey

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake says without bankable data from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency there won’t be any meaningful achievement in the sector.

Dr. Alake stated this at the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, Technical Forum in Abuja.

The Minister represented by the Director Human Resources in the Ministry, Mohammed Suleiman stressed that the agency plays a very prominent role in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration to revitalize the solid minerals sector.

“The ministry holds the NGSA in a very high esteem because the agency plays a very prominent role in the renewed hope agenda of the present administration which emphasises on the need to take the solid minerals sector to greater heights. We in the ministry we are proud of achievements of the agency till date and believe we can build on the achievements” Dr. Alake emphasized.

In his welcome address, the Director general of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, Dr Abdulrazaq Garba, said the agency has prominent roles to play in providing relevant and up-to-date geosciences information necessary for economic development of Nigeria.

Dr Garba added that the geoscience information is crucial for the progress and development of the mining industry which is critical to achievement of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic diversification.

“Geoscience information is crucial for the progress and development of the mining industry which is critical to achievement of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda of economic diversification through the development of the solid minerals sector.

“The Agency is therefore adopting and integrating innovative technology for data acquisition, data integration, modelling, and predictive geoscience. Geological Surveys all over the world develop and adopt systems and structures adapted and tailored to the peculiarities and needs of the nation.

He explained that mandate of various Geological Surveys both in developed and developing economies have grown from basic geological mapping and resource assessment to earth systems monitoring and integrated data management as a strategy to enhance national security and development.

“The Geological Surveys are quickly evolving in order to cater for the expected increase in demand for a wide and diverse set of stakeholders”.

“We are strengthening our focus and resolve to generate qualitative data that will meet the requirements of all relevant stakeholders in the sector, with activities that are geared towards the diversification of the national economy”.

In his goodwill message, Director General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, NMCO, Obadiah Simon Nkom hailed the contribution of NGSA to national development, adding that NMCO would continue to collaborate with the Agency.

In his presentation a representative of the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, Ronel Caresma, pledged to provide laboratory materials to ease and promote mining activities in the country.

Edited By Grace Namiji