Minister promises technical aid to states on mining

In bid to boost investment in the mining sector, the Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has promised that his ministry would provide logistics and technical assistance to states.

He spoke yesterday when he received Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi in his office.According to him, government’s diversification plan would be realised if states are involved in mining ventures.

He said: “We want successful projects at the state levels. It would help us to showcase our seriousness in becoming a mining nation. Umahi’s commitment to tapping the mineral deposits in his state is commendable.”

The Minister of State, Abubakar Bawa Bwari was with Fayemi at the visit. He said the ministry’s budget for 2017 has captured exploration, reclamation of mining sites and organisation of artisanal miners, among other things that would reposition the sector.

He commended the governor for making Ebonyi a mining destination, saying that the state is a model for others to emulate. The minister pledged that the ministry has put an environmental team in place to work on the reclamations of mining sites for the welfare of their host communities.

Umahi, had said that beyond agriculture, the ministry would generate more revenue from mining, adding that many countries are looking towards the country because of its mineral resources.He said he was willing to partner UNIDO and the Federal Government to explore its huge deposit of salt and limestone.