Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, has said that the federal government remains committed to boosting the minerals sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) as part of their efforts to combat climate change.
Alake made this known when he met with a delegation from the Miners Association of Nigeria that was led by their National President, Mr. Dele Ayanleke. The delegation also had representatives from the VUKA group, co-organisers of the upcoming Nigeria Mining Week, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, a prominent accounting firm.
In his address, Alake commended the association for its valuable recommendations and consistent role in organising the Mining Week and highlighted that Nigeria’s reliance on a single industry for its revenue is long overdue for a change.
“Our vision is to make solid minerals a source of pride and a significant contributor to Nigeria’s GDP,”he said. “We will shift away from oil to harness the potential of solid minerals for the betterment of Nigeria, marking our contribution to addressing climate change.”
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The minister further stressed that the ministry remains dedicated to formulating policies that would improve the regulatory framework and make it more attractive to local and foreign investors, adding that the federal government’s intention to engage with local and state governments to address any legal issues surrounding their participation.
In terms of enhancing the mining sector’s environmental sustainability and productivity, the minister revealed plans to deploy advanced technology and establish an inter-agency taskforce to combat various challenges.
ALake also sought partnership with the Miners Association of Nigeria to strengthen and reposition the sector.
Onn his part, the National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke, expressed confidence in the seven-point agenda that was presented by the minister of Solid Minerals.
Ayanleke said that these initiatives were part of the renewed hope agenda of the current administration that would solidify and enhance the sector’s contributions to national development.
Story was adapted from Thisday.
