From Lateef Taiwo
The federal government , through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has reiterated her unflinching commitment to diversify the economy through an efficient, effective exploration and exploitation of its solid mineral resources to achieve rapid socio-economic growth.
The director, Artisanal & Small Scale Mining Department of the ministry, Mr Yunnusa Muhammed, made this known while receiving an 18-member delegation from Ghana College of Defence Studies led by Brigadier-General Fred Ntiri at the Ministry of Solid Minerals on behalf of the Permanent Secretary ,Dr Mary Ogbe, in Abuja on Tuesday, according to a statement signed by the head of Information and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun.
Mr Mohammed told the visitors that in view of the dwindling revenue from Nigeria’s monolithic (oil-based) economy, the federal government deemed it imperative to diversify the economy in line with its Renewed Hope agenda.
This, according to him, is aimed at increasing revenue to government coffers while enhancing the gross domestic product of the country through the solid mineral sector.
”Nigeria operates a monolithic economy since late 1950s. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deemed it necessary to diversify the economy. Solid Minerals sector is now being accorded high priority to achieve rapid socio-economic development and prosperity for the benefit of Nigerians,” the director said.
He expressed optimism that the interactive forum between the management of Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Ghana College of Defence Studies led by Brig- General Ntiri, following a presentation by Dr Vivian Okono, the director, Mining Environmental Compliance Department, will expand their frontiers of knowledge.
Speaking about international best practices on Mining, Mr Muhammed asserted that Nigeria stands to gain from Ghana’s enormously rich experience spanning several decades most especially in Artisanal Small Mining.
In his remarks, Brigadier-General Ntiri said their study visit to the ministry, themed: “Environment, Security & Development”, was a deliberate initiative to achieve experiential knowledge of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals sector aside their classroom environment.
He affirmed that the overall mandate of the Ghana College of Defence Studies is woven around deploying strategies that would enhance the living standards of Ghanaians.
In her lead presentation, the Director Mines Environmental Compliance Department, Dr Vivian Okono, enlightened the visitors on the structure of the ministry, regulatory framework, functions of departments/agencies/institutions, and lastly, opportunities and government initiatives.
The director, Mines Inspectorate Department, Engr Imam Ganiyu, and other management staff graced the meeting with useful contributions.
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