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The
Federal Government has reiterated its determination to
reposition Nigeria’s mining sector for wealth and job
creation.
The Minister of Mines and
Steel Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada made the
disclosure in his office while receiving in audience members
of African Leadership Magazine and an award of excellence
from the same organization.
Arc. Sada noted that while
the oil and gas sector covers about 5% landmass of Nigeria,
the solid mineral resources sector covers about 95%
Nigeria’s landmass adding that, the solid mineral resources
are being harnessed to create wealth and job for Nigerians.
Arc. Sada observed that
through gainful employment in the mining sector, the
challenge of security will reduce drastically in the country
since its major cause is unemployment.
The Minister noted that an
average Nigerian is hardworking, adding that, when
opportunities in the minerals and metal sector are fully
exploited, Nigerians and investors would be better off.
Arc. Sada said that since
the necessary institutional and legislative frameworks had
been put in place to drive the minerals and metals sector
what is being done now is investment drive both locally and
internationally.
Consequently, he added that
the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development was ready to
partner with any well meaning organization for the
development of the sector.
Arc.Sada said that the
Ministry was ready to partner with African Leadership
Magazine and other media organizations in letting Nigerians
and foreign investors know the investment opportunities in
the nation’s minerals and metal sector.
On the invitation of African
Leadership Magazine for participation in an International
Investment Forum in the United States of America in December
2011, the Minister assured that the proposal would be looked
into objectively, and a decision forwarded accordingly.
Arc. Sada thanked African
Leadership Magazine for the award of excellence in
recognition of what he was doing in the minerals and metals
sector.
He added that the award
would spur him on to keep on doing things to turn around the
fortunes of the minerals and metals sector towards the
socio-economic and industrial development of Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the leader
of the delegation, of African Leadership Magazine, Dr.Elvis
C. Enyioko a Director of the establishment said that the
essence of the visit was to honour the Honourable Minister
for the giant strides he had made towards the development of
the minerals and metal sector in Nigeria and indicate their
preparedness for partnership in moving the sector forward.
According to Dr.Enyioko, the
other reason of their visit was to invite the Ministry of
Mines and Steel Development for participation in an
International Investment Forum scheduled for December 2011
in the United States of America which their organization is
putting together with other local and foreign
establishments. |
