The Solid Minerals Development will collaborate with the Lafarge Africa Plc. towards achieving mutual benefits for the realization of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration.
The Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake dropped this hint during the courtesy cum business visit of a delegation from Lafarge Africa Plc. Led by the company’s Group Managing Director/ CEO, Mr Lolu Alade- Akinyemi.
Dr Alake said the contribution of the Lafarge Africa Plc in the mining sector of the economy is crucial and critical to the economic revival of the country as it alligns with the policy thrust of the present administration to make the Solid Minerals sector a major contributor to the nation’s gross domestic product.
“Your company is very active in Nigeria’s economic space, Lafarge company is very significant in the industry, I pledge our support, and look forward to your contribution to the economy”, the Minister emphasized.
Speaking on ease of operations in the extractive industry, the Minister informed his guests that the Ministry is creating an enabling environment for industries to thrive and flourish in their exploratory and exploitation activities in the sector, stressing, the Federal government through the ministry is putting in place mechanisms that will ensure industry players in the mining industry operate in a peaceful atmosphere, for the nation to benefit.
The Minister said: “we are creating an enabling environment towards exploration of minerals, putting mechanisms in place, amongst others to ensure our players in the mining industry operate in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere, for the nation to benefit”.
While applauding the innovative move of Lafarge Africa Plc, to explore for mineral deposits in the country as inputs that will reduce carbon emissions in their cement production, Dr Alake concurred that it will increase Nigeria’s contribution to climate change, with a pledge that the Ministry is ready to cooperate in this regard.
To this end, the Minister praised the appointment of the new Group Managing Director/ CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc. Mr Lolu Alade, stressing, it is a testimony to your competence and track record.
Responding, Mr Lolu Alade- Akinyemi, GMD/ CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc. affirmed that the appointment of Dr Alake as the Minister for Solid Minerals Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an indication of the premium importance and political will to use the sector to revamp the economy.
He stated that minimizing carbon emissions in its production of cement is a policy that the Company accord high priority. On this issue, the GMD solicited the cooperation and support of the Ministry to actualize this objective, adding, the Company looked forward to working in close collaboration with the Ministry on its 7-point agenda.
Alaba Balogun
Head, Press & PR
