Ekiti State Collaborates With Solid Minerals Ministry To Create Wealth
By Hauwa Gidado, Abuja
The Ekiti State Government in South-West Nigeria is to collaborate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to create wealth and enhance employment opportunities given its enormous deposits of Solid mineral resources.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Abiodun Oyebanji made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Oladele Alake in his office in Abuja, the nation’s Capital.
Buttressing his assertion on the motive of his visit, the Governor explained that he has come to discuss how Ekiti can partner with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and ensure his State key into its vision to derive maximum socio-economic benefits for his people.
He said: ”reason is to discuss how Ekiti state can partner with this Ministry and ensure we key into its vision; any discerning state that wants to develop his state must key into this vision. Because in this vision, I see a lot of opportunities and he is trying to democratise the space. And it will create wealth, create jobs, it will increase security.”
While acknowledging the sterling contributions of Mr Oladele Alake, as an indigene, to the development of Ekiti State; the Governor stated further: ” I was just sharing my experience with him in Ekiti State; so there is no State that will not want to key into the vision because this is the next oil. Any smart state will just be here”.
In his comments, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development said Ekiti State is amongst the States endowed with both natural and mineral resources, with benefits of highly competitive cost in exploration and extraction.
The Minister further affirmed: ” Ekiti is one of the areas we are focusing on in terms of ensuring the solid Minerals sector makes its impact and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of the country.”
Dominica Nwabufo