MSMD, MSD Harp On Need For Sustainable Development

The need for collective efforts for sustainable development in the nation’s solid Minerals sector cannot be over emphasized.

To this end, a two day National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD) conference was put together by the Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Steel Development in ilorin, the Kwara state capital to brainstorm on how to utilize the nation’s God given potential to develop the country.

At the opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary overseeing both Ministries, Dr. Mary Ogbe described the conference as an invaluable platform to chart a way forward for sustainable development of the minerals and metal sector.

“The theme ”Minerals and Metals sector: a panacea for economic growth and Diversity” is apt with the relevant sub-themes that will be discussed during the technical session” she added.

”So we are here as Stakeholders in the sector to deliberate on the best way forward, so that we can get the blessings of what God has given to us in the minerals and metal sector. That is my expectation”.

According to Dr. Ogbe there is no better time to have a topic as such, now that the nation is depending on the Solid Mineral and Metals sector for its economic prosperity.

“Fossil fuel is gradually being phased out with the advent of electric cars …we may not get buyers for our fuel and secondly, the world is going green and we must not be left behind, and for us, we are highly blessed with the energy minerals as well, she added.

Dr Ogbe expressed her profound appreciation to representatives from various government agencies, private sector players, and other Stakeholders who are attending the meeting, noting that their presence demonstrates commitment to the growth and advancement of the mineral and Metal resources sector.

While extolling the importance of the meeting to realizing the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the sector for the benefit of the people; the Permanent Secretary affirmed that this edition of NCMMRD affords stakeholders in the sector an invaluable platform to deliver on key issues affecting the sector and chart a way forward.

”Our Agenda for today includes discussions on policy reforms, investment opportunities, community engagement, environmental sustainability, and fostering innovation in the sector” Dr. Ogbe stressed.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Mrs Funke Sokoya, used the occasion to make a passionate appeal to the Ministers and Council members that the yearly resolutions agreed upon should be judiciously utilized.

She added that the participants would be solving most of the challenges facing them in their respective states as evident in the sub-themes of the event, issues such as illegal mining and community development agreements, Mrs Sokoya emphasized.

Amongst the participants who graced the opening ceremony were the Kwara State Commissioner for Solid Mineral Development, Alhaji AbdulQuawiy Olododo, who represented the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Directors of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development/Steel Development and Director Generals of Agencies under the two Ministries.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji