ABUJA – (Ministry of Mines & Steel Development Report) – The Minister of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite has expressed willingness to partner with Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) to fully realize the mandate of the Ministry for economic growth of the nation.
The Minister made this known when the Head of Energy and Natural Resources (KPMG), Mr. Ayo Salami and his team paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday December 15, 2022.
While welcoming the visitors, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite urged them to engage in meaningful interaction with the Management of MMSD for a background information of the Ministry as well as gain fruitful knowledge of its policies and programmes.
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of State for MMSD, Senator Gbemisola Saraki acknowledged the proposed collaboration which KPMG has offered the Ministry for the development of the Mineral and Metals Sector, saying he is looking forward to having a strong relationship with the Ministry towards the realization of economic diversification by the Federal Government.
Earlier in his address, the leader of the delegation, Mr Ayo Salami stated that the purpose of their coming to the Ministry was to share their thoughts about the industry on how well to relate with its operators.
He appreciated the fforts of the Ministry in setting up the National Integrated Mining Expression Project (NIMEP); Ensuring improved transmission of Mining Cadastral Office (MCO); Improved transparency and Review of License Regime in the Mining Sector; the Launching of EMC+ System Process and Mining Roadmap which has resulted to a surge in mineral exploration in the industry.
Ayo Salami urged the Ministry to enhance the Mining Roadmap by working with relevant gold agencies to harmonize and develop some financial incentives, in order to attract relevant miners into the country. Such harmonization, he said will bring clarity to operators, particularly to foreign investors who are ready to come into the Nigeria mining space.
He ponted out that the activities of illegal miners should be curbed as it has adversely affected the growth of the Sector. He decried the low contribution of mining to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that adequate steps should be taken to utilize available mining strategies for the development of the industry.
