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The Federal Government
has reiterated its commitment to partner with State
Governments towards the development of the solid mineral
endowments across the country.
The Minister of Mines and
Steel Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada made this
disclosure when the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr.
Olusegun Mimiko paid him a working visit in his office.
Arc. Sada assured that the
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development would collaborate
with the Ondo State Government towards the exploration and
exploitation of Bitumen and Dimension Stones in the state.
Arc. Sada said that the
Ministry would continue to sensitize both local and foreign
investors for collaborative ventures towards the maximum
exploration and exploitation of the vast solid mineral
resources across all the states of the country.
The Minister assured that
the Ministry would continue from previous efforts on the
Bitumen Project for successful implementation in
collaboration with the Ondo State Government.
He said that Ondo State
Government would fully be carried along by the Federal
Government in tapping the solid mineral resources in that
state.
Arc. Sada added that through
such collaboration, illegal mining activities would be
reduced and controlled effectively in the state. He also
said that necessary institutional and legislative frameworks
had been put in place to move the sector forward.
He added that the principles
of use it or lose it, first come first served in the
administration of mineral titles is strictly adhered to for
sanity in the minerals and metal sector.
The Minister disclosed that
the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management
Committees in all the states of the federation would be made
more active and functional towards the maximum exploration
and exploitation of the solid mineral resources in the
country.
Arc. Sada assured that the
Federal Government would continue to explore areas of
partnership with the Ondo State Government for the
development of the mining industry in the state.
Speaking earlier, the
Executive Governor of Ondo state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko said
that the essence of his visit was to indicate the
preparedness of the state to partner with the Federal
Government towards the maximum exploration and exploitation
of the solid mineral resources in his state in line with Mr.
President’s agenda to diversify the nation’s economy from
oil and gas.
Dr. Mimiko stated that he
was impressed with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and
Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada’s public pronouncements on the
diversification of the nation’s economy through the
development of the solid mineral resources across the states
of the federation, adding that that is the right place to
go.
The Governor said that Ondo
State is blessed with large quantities of Bitumen, Dimension
Stones and other solid mineral resources which should be
explored and exploited maximally for job and wealth
creation.
He noted that the renewed
focus on the development of the mining industry in Nigeria
should be facilitated through the creation of an enabling
environment. |
