ABUJA (Min of Mines and Steel Dev Report) – The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite (Arc), has advocated Public Private Partnership (PPP) for sustained growth and development in the Mining sector, that would enhance economic growth.
He stated this on Tuesday, 10th September, 2019 during a courtesy visit, led by the West African Director, Ekenem Isichei, with members of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA).
He revealed that the Federal Government was seeking for ways to diversify from oil and gas, he added that proper harnessing of the resources in the Mining sector would definitely take the country to the next level, in line with the present administration’s vision for the nation.
He added that there was need to open up the sector to private investors’ participation and urged the CCA officials and other major players in the industry to partner with the Ministry, especially in the area of organizing and formalizing the activities of the artisanal miners, in order to bring their operation to meet international best practices.
The Minister further stated that the artisanal miners often endanger themselves and create nuisance to the environment of host communities due to their crude method of mining.
He therefore called on stakeholders to work together with the Ministry to formalize their operation that would enable them to deploy modern tools of mining to ensure more revenue generation and also pave way for wealth and job creation.
Adegbite, also solicited for private sector’s assistance in creating certification centers and laboratories to certify the quality of discovered minerals such as gold, diamond, especially the gem stones to promote global recognition of Nigeria minerals and legal trading.
While speaking at the event, the Minister of State, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, appreciated the visit of the CCA officials and assured them of the Ministry’s willingness to partner with them with a view to deepen productivity in the mineral sector that would facilitate national development.
Mr. Isichei, congratulated the Ministers on their appointment, stating that his organization has a good working relationship with the Ministry, he stated that their visit was meant to kick-start a formal engagement with the Ministry to learn of its plans and to bring in their expertise into such designs in order to actualize adequate and visible development in the sector.
ChinweEkwugha
For: D (Press & PR)
