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The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to
provide a condusive environment for mining operations in the
country.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa
Mohammed Sada gave the assurance when the Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria
PLC, Mr. Sammy Abdelkader paid him a working visit in Abuja.
In the words of the Minister “We will continue to
collaborate with stakeholders and operators to chart new
avenues for sustainable and suitable operations in Nigeria’s
Mining industry”.
Arc. Sada observed that the major problems of Mining in
Nigeria are compliance with the 2007 Minerals and Mining
Act, safety and environmental issues.
The Minister disclosed that the identified challenges were
being addressed through interactive sessions with
stakeholders and operators in the Mining Industry.
In the words of the Minister; “The idea is to work with the
operators as friends, though we are the regulators. The
expectation is better relationship, better understanding,
better mining activities and improved economic drive in the
sector, and generally for Nigeria to be better off”.
The Minister noted that Mining industry is very versatile,
adding that the basic raw materials in the ceramic and
manufacturing sectors are solid mineral resources.
The Minister explained that his reason of visiting Cement
and ceramic manufacturing companies across the country is to
create the awareness on the relationship between their
activities and the Mining Industry.
Arc. Sada commended the management and staff of Lafarge
Cement Wapco Nigeria PLC for operating in line with the
2007 Minerals and Mining Act and contributing to the
development of the nation’s economy.
While responding to a question from journalists on how to
address the challenge of increase in the price of cement in
the country, Arc. Sada said that price stability of Cement
could be achieved through the available of limestone, a
basic solid mineral resource for cement production and the
availability of cement.
The Minister added once, we are able to establish a baseline
for sometime, the fluctuatining price of cement would
stabilize in the country.
It could be recalled that the Minister of Mines and Steel
Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada paid a working visit
to Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc in June 2010 during
his familiarisation visit to formations of the Ministry,
Mine fields and some operators in the South West
Geopolitical Zone of the country.
Executive officer of Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria PLC said
the purpose of the visit was to thank the Honourable
Minister for his earlier visit to the company in June 2010
and to solicit for Federal Government assistance in
facilitating their operations for meaningful contributions
to Nigeria’s economy.He commended the Minister for his
proactive attitude on issues towards the developemt of the
mining industry.
Mr. Abddkader said that his company adds value to the nation
and the host communities wherever they operate by complying
with the relevant rules and regulations and safety.
He explained that before they set up any quarry plant, there
are plans for remediation exercises.
On the issue of increase in the prices of cement in the
country, the Managing Director explained that the company
would increase production for steady supply of cement to
help in price fluctuation.
He added that his company and other cement manufacturing
companies in the country would work together with government
to arrive at different ways of making cement affordable.
Mr. Abdelkader noted the challenge of energy and power in
their operations which he wanted the Federal Government to
address as well.
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