Synergy Between NMCO, ECOWAS Will Drive Growth In Mining Industry- Nkom

The Director General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, NMCO, Obadiah Nkom says synergy between the NMCO and ECOWAS will drive growth and development of the mining sector, in the African continent.

Dr. Nkom made this known when he received a delegation from the ECOWAS led by William Baidoe, in his office, in Abuja.

The Director General of the NMCO said Nigeria needs human capacity to bring out its abundant wealth beneath the surface of the ground.

He stressed that the agency is working closely with financial institutions to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector.

Nkom emphasized that the agency is not only after revenue creation but also about how to bring investments that would transmit to national development.

He hailed the present administration for repositioning the sector for more transformation and growth.

“We are open to consultation with any interested country at zero charges”.

“This is a milestone for ECOWAS national experts coming in to Abuja for geo-extrative, observatory and cadastral system”

“The essence of this visit to Nigeria is to visit a working cadastral. Nigeria is among the few member nations that have ready moved its webpage system to digital system” he stated.

“The collaboration with ECOWAS commission will create the necessary platforms to promote the needed growth and development of the region”.

“It will also ensure that states are able to emulate and have a platform that will be easier for investors coming to invest in the region”.

Nkom added that the minister of solid minerals development, Dr Dele Alake is fully aware of the visit and would have been available to interact with the delegates on how the collaboration would move the nation to a more profitable level.

Also speaking, Mr. William Badieo, who led the ECOWAS initiative, said the mission was to assess Nigeria’s progress as a benchmark for the proposed regional system.

“We’ve moved beyond theory. The first feasibility report confirmed the possibility of a regional geo-extractive observatory. This second phase is about ensuring each member state meets the baseline operational standard before full integration” he stressed.

Badieo applauded Nigeria’s EMC+ platform, saying, “Nigeria is far ahead”.

“Today, we witnessed a practical demonstration of a fully functional, transparent, and accessible system. It’s not only operational it’s exemplary” Badieo stated.

Earlier the head of the Mining Cadastre Office of Sierra Leone and ECOWAS delegate, Mr. Eugene Norman explained that other member states are using different systems, but as West Africans, there is the need to work in harmony in geo-observatory and mining cadastral system.

“It is important that we learn from Nigeria’s experience what works, what doesn’t so we can guide our countries accordingly. Peer-to-peer learning is crucial,” Norman added.

“This visit will help elevate all member states to a common standard, amplify our collective success, and boost investor confidence across the region.”

In his presentation, the chief geologist in Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum and another ECOWAS delegate, Mr. Madu Hassan Fika, described the EMC+ system as an eye-opener.

By Georgina Humphrey