The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, says Nasarawa State is set to become the epicentre of Nigeria’s mining and mineral development sector as it prepares to host the 6th National Council on Mining and Mineral Development.
The Minister stated this when his delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule, in Lafia, the state capital.
He said the purpose of the visit is to appreciate the governor for accepting to host the sixth edition of the National Council of Mining and Mineral Development in the state.
Represented by the Director-General Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Nkom, he emphasised the importance of the mining sector in Nigeria.
‘The 4th edition would have been hosted by Nasarawa, But COVID 19 prevented it, and the Home of Solid Mineral took it upon themselves to host this 6th edition.
‘We thank you very much for given us this approval, the choice of Nasarawa state to host this edition is inform by the commitment a
nd visibility of the state contributions towards the development of the mining sector in Nigeria,’ Dele noted.
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Responding, Governor Abdullahi Suleiman, appreciate the Minister and his entourage for the visit.
‘We thank you for accepting to site the 6th Council of Mining and mi real understand the importance of the summit, we understand that is going to be an engagement of stakeholders that would give the opportunity for the peace and security of the mining site and would also provide grate opportunity for economic development of and economic empowerment of our people.
‘There is not better time to have this than now when Nigeria is looking for other sources of revenue aside of oil,’ Sule said.
He further appreciated the minister for the letter of allocation of the 1.5 C O, which he said would go a long way into production immediately.
‘For the resolution of that 3.5 C O, you have brought in so much to Nasarawa state, a new dimension
has been brought in to partnerships between various state government and various communities where these mineral are sighted,’ he stated.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Yakubu Kwanta, appreciate the Minister for coming and for also agreeing Nasarawa state to host the 6th Council of Mining development summit in the state.
‘Nasarawa state has found a special place since the Minister’s assumption of office, especially as we pride ourself as the Home of Solid Mineral Management of the mining sector while still maintaining the fundamentals that the country is looking for,’ the commissioner noted.
Source: Voice of Nigeria