Mining: MMSD, KPMG partner for economy growth

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), has partnered with the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), in order to fully realize the mandate of the Ministry for the economic growth of the nation.

Minister, MMSD, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite, made this known in Abuja while receiving the Head of Energy and Natural Resources (KPMG), Mr Ayo Salami and its team on a courtesy visit.

Adegbite urged KPMG to engage in meaningful interaction with the Management of MMSD for background information on the Ministry as well as gain fruitful knowledge of its policies and programmes.

In his remarks, Minister of State, MMSD, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, acknowledged the proposed collaboration KPMG has offered the Ministry for the development of the Mineral and Metals Sector and looked forward to a strong relationship with the Ministry for the realization of economic diversification of the Federal Government.

Earlier in his address, the leader of the delegation, Mr Ayo Salami, stated that their purpose of coming to the Ministry was to share their thoughts about the industry on how well to relate with its operators.

He appreciated the efforts of the Ministry in Setting up the National Integrated Mining Expression Project (NIMEP); Ensuring improved transmission of the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO); Improved transparency and Review of the License Regime in the Mining Sector; the Launching of EMC + system process and Mining Roadmap, which has resulted to a surge in mineral exploration in the Industry.

Mr Salami, however, urged the Ministry to enhance the Mining Roadmap by working with relevant gold agencies to harmonize and develop some financial incentives in order to attract relevant miners into the country. Such harmonization, he said, will bring clarity to operators, particularly, to foreign investors who are ready to come into the Nigeria mining space.

He also recommended that the activities of illegal miners should be curbed as it has adversely affected the growth of the Sector. He decried the low contribution of Mining to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that adequate steps should be taken to utilize available mining strategies for the development of the industry.