Government to provide technical assistance on mining to states
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the Ministry is willing to provide logistics and technical assistance to state governments, in a bid to boost investment in the mining sector.
He disclosed this when he received the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, in his office, saying that the diversification plan of the government would be better realised with states’ involvement in mining ventures.
“We want successful projects at the state levels. It will help us to showcase our seriousness in becoming a mining nation. Governor Umahi’s commitment to tapping the mineral deposits in his state is commended.”
Fayemi, who received Governor Umahi, in the company of his Minister of State, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, said the Ministry’s budget for 2017, captured exploration, reclamation of mining sites and organisation of artisanal miners, among other things that would reposition the sector.
The Minister commended Governor Umahi for making Ebonyi State a mining destination, saying that the state is a model for others to emulate.
He assured the Governor that the Ministry has put together an environmental team to work on reclamation of mining sites for the welfare of the host communities.
Earlier, Governor Umahi noted that beyond agriculture, Nigeria can generate more revenue from mining, adding that many countries are looking towards the country because of the mineral resources.
He said the state is willing to partner with the Nited Nation’s Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Federal Government to mine its huge deposits of salt and Limestone.
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1 Comments
The very first step is to organize, fund and support those artisan miners. provide them with market sources to sell their minerals. From this position, the mining sector can begin to grow and more investment would be attracted to mining. However to help state improve their finances, state need to have some control of the minerals.
We will review and take appropriate action.