France To Support Nigeria’s Road Map For Mining Devt

France has expressed commitment to support Nigeria’s roadmap for mining development, with a very keen interest in investing in the rapidly developing solid minerals sector.

French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier stated this when he paid a visit on the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake in Abuja.

Fonbaustier also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to remain Nigeria’s formidable ally in developing the solid minerals sector.

Also, the Deputy Head, Regional economic department of the French embassy, Carole Libreton expressed France’s readiness to fund projects in the mining corporation and collaborate with the ministry to galvanize French companies for development of the mining value chain.

Responding, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake acknowledged France’s frontline position among prospective stakeholders who have shown interest in the solid minerals sector.

According to him, France has shown enthusiasm, commitment, and readiness to implement tangible projects.

“The long-standing and robust bilateral relationship between Nigeria and France will be further enhanced through key initiatives in the solid minerals sector backed by actionable goals with clear timelines.” Dr Alake added.

The Minister reiterated that the core agenda of President Tinubu’s policy initiatives has been the diversification of the economy with emphasis on solid minerals development.

He highlighted the imperative of continued engagement with the French team to identify serious French companies interested in the mining sector whilst also fine-tuning areas of collaboration to concretize partnership based on the earlier signed MOU.

Nigeria and France signed an MOU late last year on the heels of President Tinubu’s state visit to France to promote joint projects for diversification of critical minerals value chain with emphasis on technical assistance, capacity building, and remediation of abandoned pits.

By Georgina Humphrey