The Federal Government has said that the country’s minerals and metals sector is one of the key sectors which can be used for the diversification of Nigeria’s economy.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Musa Mohammed Sada dropped the hint in an address delivered as the Special Guest of Honour at the 14th Annual General Meeting/Conference of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers(NSME) held at Minna, Niger state recently.
The President said, “The minerals and metals sector is the sector of the future, it is the bank hope of my Transformation Agenda and it is the panacea for the economic diversification”.
The President said the Federal Government’s efforts in the development of the sector led to the implementation of various reforms such as the regulatory and institutional frameworks in ensuring a conducive investment climate for mining investors.
Dr. Jonathan said the desire of Government to attain its set standards for the sector further led to the development of a roadmap which would guide the development of the mining industry.
He explained that the implementation of the roadmap programmes had given birth to sustained direct foreign investment in areas of exploration and exploitation of minerals like Gold, Lead/Zinc Ores, Iron Ores among others and the operation of completed units of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited through memorandum of understanding with the private sector.
The President announced that fiscal policy regime for the mining sector had been approved by Government while phase 2 of the World Bank programme for the sector to cover the mid-tier mining operators was currently receiving attention.
The President noted that the recently concluded National Integrated Infrastructural Master Plan had come up with plan to support infrastructural requirements of all mineralized areas in the country.
Dr. Jonathan urged members of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers to live up to expectations in rendering qualitative professional services towards the attainment of desired targets for the nation’s minerals and metals sector.
Mr. President said, “The main desire of this Government is to see Nigerians, especially professionals like you actively participating in the development of the nation’s minerals endowment resulting in wealth and job creation amongst our citizens”.
In his key note address at the occasion, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada, who was represented by the Director, Mines Inspectorate Department in the Ministry, Engineer Dauda Awojobi said members of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers were key stakeholders of the mining industry in view of their role as technical persons that supervise, monitor and regulate operations and providers of professional services.
Arc. Sada urged them to participate in the developmental activities of the sector so as not to become onlookers in the future.
In another key note address, the Executive Governor of Niger state and Chief Host of the event, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr. Seidu Idaku Idris urged the conference to come up with a robust communiqué that would proffer solutions to various challenges mitigating the sustainable development of the mining sector.
The Governor said the State was delighted to host the conference in view of its opportunity for it to showcase its potentials as well as explore areas of partnership towards the realization of its vision of becoming one of the three most developed States in Nigeria by the year 2020.
Part of the highlights of the occasion with the theme: “Enhancing Mining Investment for the Industrial Revolution of Nigeria” was the conferment of the Honorary Fellowship Award by the Council of Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME) on Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate