Nasarawa State to host 6th National Council on Mining
Nasarawa State has been selected to host the sixth National Council on Mining and Minerals Resources Development, the highest decision making body on policy matters on mining and minerals resources development.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake confirmed this when he transmitted the approval of his ministry to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House.
According to the Minister, the choice of Nasarawa State to host the 6th national council meeting was informed by the commitment and contributions the state was making towards developing the solid minerals sector.
Represented by Director General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Simon Nkom, Dr Alake noted that the move was part of the ministry’s road map for the growth and development of the Nigerian mining industry, designed to achieve through stakeholders engagement.
“It was approved by the FEC precisely in December 2016 to serve as a prime consultative platform for all stakeholders in the industry to engage with the ministry. The council is the highest decision making body on policy matters on mining and minerals resources development,” he said.
The Minister futher disclosed that the council meeting will feature interactive platform and bring together all stakeholders for policy formulation, validation and advice to government on solid minerals matters.
“Apart from coming in to talk about some details of the sixth council meeting, there is need again to look at Nasarawa State again, cutting across the development in the sector. You will agree with me that Governor Sule’s contribution towards and his achievements being recorded in the renewed hope agenda in the minerals sector can never be overemphasized.
He added that already committees have been set up to ensure the success of the 6th National Council meeting .
Governor Abdullahi Sule appreciated the Minister for privilege of hosting the six national council on mining and minerals resources.
Governor Sule said there was no better time for the meeting than now when Nigeria was looking for other sources of revenue outside oil.
“We understand the importance of that meeting. We understand very strongly that it is going to be an engagement of stakeholders that will give the opportunity for the peace and security of the mining sites,” he said.
He said the national council on mining and minerals resources development will provide a great opportunity for the economic empowerment of the people and the country in general .
“Because it is a meeting that is going to draw a lot of people, especially investors, miners, other kinds of workers, ministry and government officials, as well as regulators who are going to be part of the event,” he added.
Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Kwanta Yakubu said that as part of preparations to host the national council on mining in November this year, the state government has constituted a multi-sectoral committee towards a successful hosting of the event.
Report by Rabi Momoh
