ABUJA (Min of Mines and Steel Dev Report) – The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, has called on local investors to invest in the mining of Solid Minerals that are abound in the country, as this would spur the interest of foreign investors.
The Minister made this call during a press briefing, held at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja, on Monday, 4th November, 2019 to herald the 3rd Edition of the National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD), tagged: ‘Nigeria Mineral and Investment Sector;  Spectrum for Investment Opportunities for Economic Growth and Development’. The Council Meeting is scheduled to commence on Wednesday 6th – Friday 8th, November, 2019, at Trade Fair Centre, by Fountain Hotel, Archbishop Adetiloye Hall, Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
He said the theme of the Council Meeting is meant to enlighten investors and other stakeholders, especially Nigerians, on opportunities that abound in the Minerals and Metals Sector, saying that such investment, would encourage foreign investors to put their money in the Minerals and Metals Sector of the economy
He also encouraged State Governors to form companies that would go into Mining as long as it is within the confines of the law, noting that, mining is on the Exclusive Legislative list.
Arc Adegbite disclosed further that, the Council Meeting in Ado Ekiti is very appropriate as the present Governor of the State, Dr. Fayemi Kayode, a former Minister of the Ministry, and also Chairman of Governors’ Forum, with his wealth of experience in the sector, is in the best position to help the Ministry achieve most of its policy thrust and also, to convince his colleagues to abide by the existing Mining Laws.
He highlighted some of the milestones achieved through past Council Meetings, including development and implementation of the roadmap; improved transparency in mineral title administration; improvement in the ease of doing business amongst others.
He stated that the focus of discussions in this 3rd edition of the meeting would deepen the awareness of opportunities that would attract more investors into the sector.
The Minister of State, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, in his welcome address stated that the purpose of the briefing was to intimate the public on the forth coming events and efforts being made to move the sector to the next level.
 The National Council Meeting is an advisory platform and it is comprised of State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries in charge of Mining and Mineral Resources from the 36 States and FCT, including participants from the academia, private sector security, practitioners and leaders of Mining Unions.
They are meant to brainstorm on issues affecting all the stakeholders in the sector and initiate policies that will boost the industry.
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Ekwugha S. Chinwe
ACIO
For: Director (Press)
