Nigerian Government To Diversify From Hydrocarbon To Mineral Sector

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake has reaffimed that the decision of the Nigerian government to diversify from hydrocarbon to making the minerals sector major contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product, GDP, is our contribution to climate change.

In a press release by the Head Press and PR of the Ministry, Mr. Alaba Balagon said the Minister dropped this hint when he received a delegation of the Miners Association of Nigeria, led by their national president, Mr Dele Ayanleke.

Mr. Balogun further said the delegation comprised representatives  of the VUKA group, co- organizer of the forthcoming Nigeria Mining Week, and Price Waterhouse Coopers, foremost accounting firm

While commending the Association for it’s suggestive recommendations and consistent role in organizing the Mining Week; Dr Alake stated that Nigeria has been operating mono- cultural economy for long noting that the shift to solid minerals is overdue.

He said: “Our vision is to make solid minerals our pride, a major contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product.

We will diversify from oil to exploit it for the survival of Nigeria. This is our own contribution to climate change.”

To this end,the Minister emphasized  that  the Ministry is committed to making requisite policies that will sanitize and rejig the regulatory framework and to make it more conducive for local and foreign investors to play,’

On the issue of incursion by the second tier of government into mining, Dr Alake stressed that the Nigerian  Government, will engage  the State government and local government with a view to resolving surrounding issues within the ambit of the law.

Speaking on securing the mining sector environment for maximum yield to the Nigerian government, the Minister revealed that high-end technology will be deployed coupled with inter-agency taskforce to arrest the menace completely

Dr. Adeleke, therefore, sought partnership with the Miners Association of Nigeria to strengthen capacity in this regard for the growth and repositioning of the sector.

In his earlier remarks, the National President of Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr Dele Ayanleke, in a vote of confidence, expressed   assurance that the seven point agenda unfolded by the Minister of Solid Minerals under the renewed hope agenda of this present administration will consolidate and enhance  the sector for maximum contribution to national development.

Shakirat Sadiq