From our Correspondent
The federal government, FG, has assured the Nasarawa State Government of the its commitment to partnering states in harnessing the country’s rich solid mineral resources for rapid socio-economic development.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, gave the assurance when the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Sule, paid him courtesy visit in his office at the ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja, a statement signed by the head of Information and Publicity,
Alaba Balogun, said.
Assuring that his ministry would work with governors to harness mineral resources for maximum socio-economic development of the country, Alake stressed that Nasarawa State and other endowed states across the country will soon witness rapid development that will enhance the living standards of the citizenry under the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu administration.
He said ” Nasarawa State is very significant in terms of the development of the mineral sector, and we are putting the mechanisms together; we are crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s to make sure that the nation derives maximum benefit from this God-given gift of minerals that are in abundance in Nigeria.
“We are going to harness and utilise efficiently, effectively, and proficiently to ensure that Nigeria also expends the resources from solid minerals judiciously. That is the next petroleum of Nigeria.”
While acknowledging the importance and significance of Nasarawa State as sitting on the next petroleum of Nigeria, Mr Alake affirmed that it is imperative to cooperate, synergise, and coordinate all the dynamics surrounding mineral exploration, exploitation, and judicious spending of the resources.
He thanked the governor for the visit which, according to him, epitomises the synergy that is expected between the federal and state governments to develop the critical solid mineral sector.
Speaking earlier, Governor Sule said he was very pleased that Mr Dele Alake is the Minister of a ministry that means more than anything to Nasarawa State, describing his appointment as a win-win for the nation and the state.