CSOs, Media task Mines and Steel Development Minister on jobs, Ajaokuta steel mill, others.

[FMINigeria]

                        In their reacting to the presentation by the Mines and Steel Development Minister, Arc Musa Sada at the on-going Ministerial Platform holding at the National Press Centre, civil society organisations and the media have raised questions on the need for job creation by the mining ministry; ways in which the coal deposit in Kogi State could be mined; growing from manual mining practices and giving protection to local miners and their communities; amendment of the explosives act and related regulatory guidelines and efforts towards making mining, an income – based industry like oil and gas.

Other questions asked of the Minister bothered on abandonment of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, mining licenses, mining of coal for energy generation, ensuring availability of mining equipments and spare parts, need to fill up mine pits which pose danger to the life of citizens, checking illegal mining operations and preventing the spread of lead poisoning resulting from illegal mining operations in the country.

In responding to the questions, the Minister said the Ministry has been besotted with challenges such as lack of infrastructure and the dispersed location of raw materials needed in mining sites, lack of established procedures in the past, concerning equipment provision, incapability of operators and knowledge of technology required for fruitful operations.

He indicated that change in management functions and privatisation has added value to the services rendered in the sector.

On mining licenses, mineral administration, timing and guidelines for intending local and foreign entrepreneurs, he said that information outlets have been provided by the Ministry through its website to aid applications and access to the locations of geosciences offices in the country.

Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria