Accurate data generation in the Nigerian mining sector is one of the key elements that can boost the activities of mining for economic development and enhance job opportunities for the youths in the country.
The Director General Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Dr Garba Abdulrazak stated this during a media interaction in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital,
Dr Garba explained that to achieve the set goal of the present administration in making Nigeria one of the mining destination,the agency has adopted some modalities to improve on its data generation that investors can rely upon for investment in the mining sector.
He said, “Since we came on board three years ago, the focus of the management of NGSA has been on three things and they are: Geoscience data generation for national development, infrastructural development and capacity development to have the best brains behind the set goals of the agency.”
Data for Bitumen
The Director also explained that the agency was currently working to provide accurate data for Bitumen in Nigeria.
“We are working currently on Bitumen and what we are doing in Bitumen today could not have been succeeded without the maximum input from the NGSA. All the data set that we used we the NGSA with the support of the Ministry and the federal government we decided to generate more Geosciences information to ensure that the plots that are to be concessioned will be attractive to investors.”
Speaking on some projects embarked upon by the agency, the Director General also highlighted further:
“The world bank sponsored a project called Geo data centre and the center is domiciled in the NGSA being the agency the generator and validator of geosciences information which is a partnership between the Ministry, MINDIVER, the NGSA as well as the British Geological Survey agency,” the Director explained.
He also explained that the agency has a lot of mining data available for investors to take right decision for the investment in the solid mineral sector for economic development in Nigeria.
Confidence Okwuchi