Experts focus on solid minerals

An expert in Petroleum Exploration and Production, Chukwuemeka Ekweozor, is seeking frantic focus on the mining sector to make it contribute more effectively to government revenue and boost the nation’s economy. 

Ekweozor stated this in Port Harcourt when the Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) organised a public lecture in honour of his 70th birthday and 40th wedding anniversary.  

He lauded the recent launch of N5 billion fund for small scale miners by the Federal government and stressed the need for government to also assist big mining companies to access loans that is not tied to double digit interest regime.

He said, the move could also encourage experts to focus more on solid minerals in a very significant manner that would bring the sector under competiveness and to limelight. He called on government to support research in the country, set up an agency that develops criteria for people who are skilled to operate and get involved in the sector. The move according to him, would encourage competitiveness and give the sector a boost.