FG calls for active participation of professionals in solid minerals development

ABUJA (Mines & Solid Minerals Ministry Report) – The Minister of Mines and Steel Development,  Musa Mohammed Sada has called on relevant professionals to actively  participate in the development of the country’s minerals and metals sector.  He made the call when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Society of Engineers led by its President, Ademola Olorunfemi in his office.

The Minister noted that the successes and failures of any sector are determined by its professional inputs, expressing belief that the success and achievement of a nation has a lot to do with professionalism as those countries that have gone far ahead of others have one peculiar thing in them. He urged all professionals not to give up relating with each other and identifying all the relevant sectors.

Musa Mohammed Sada said that he was pleased with the visit, noting that the Committee on the Draft of the Nigerian Metallurgical Industry Bill, 2014 which has been subjected to review and chaired by one of the mining operators has various inputs from relevant professional bodies.
He also pointed out that the first step to take should have been instituting a law preceding its acceptance, stating that the best way to get a law to be accepted is to get those people that who are going to apply the law to form the law themselves.

While assuring the delegation that the opinions and views from relevant professionals would be brought on board towards developing the sector, he added that the development of the maiden report card for the National Infrastructure Report for the country which was being conducted by the Nigerian Society of Engineers would give an insight into the way forward in the area of infrastructural development for the country.

“The minerals and metals sector would be a big beneficiary of the Infrastructural Master Plan, stressing that one could not do mining without infrastructure. The Minister noted that a large fraction of the officers in the Ministry are members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He as well directed that a small technical group comprising the ministry’s officials and members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers be formed to brainstorm on the development of the sector.

Earlier in his address, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and leader of the delegation, Ademola Olorunfemi informed that the delegation was in the Ministry to explore the areas needing collaboration for the growth of the minerals and metals  sector. He pledged the support of the Nigerian Society of Engineers towards the establishment of a vibrant Nigerian Metallurgical Industry Bill, 2014.

Ademola Olorunfemi inferred that the society is committed to collaborating, influencing and providing quality advice to the different arms of government and assured the Minister that they will be open to discussion and consultation, in order to help the Ministry deliver on its mandate.