Experts urge focus on mining as revenue earner

As part of efforts to develop engineering and solid minerals in the country, the Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN) on Tuesday commenced a three-day conference to discuss the challenges in the sector.

The Chairman of the occasion who is also the head of the Board of Trustees of the society, Mr. Kunle Ogunade, urged the Federal Government to legalise the activities of local miners in the country and regulate their operations instead of arresting them.

He said the government should encourage such miners to use local technology.

He added: “The Minister of Science and Technology and the Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria should assist the indigenes of these mining communities with the necessary facilities.”

According to him: “This country is endowed with mineral resources that are untapped. It is time to start turning all these into money and stop the reliance on crude oil as our only source of revenue.”

Ogunade explained that: “The atmosphere for investment in the country is not conducive, therefore as a nation, we really need to attract foreign investors by providing basic infrastructure and ensuring the safety of lives and property.”

The theme of the conference is “Engineering materials and solid minerals development: A panacea to national economic diversification.”

In a keynote address, the Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, enumerated the challenges confronting the mining industry despite the efforts to develop the sector.

The National President of MSN, Prof. Salaudeen Ahmed said the theme of the conference was appropriate at a time the country was facing economic challenges.

“From economic indices, the country is in recession.
This is caused by the fall in global oil price and reduced crude production due to local challenges.”