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THE Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Oladele Alake, has said the federal government’s diversification from hydrocarbon (oil) to making the minerals sector a major contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) is a contribution to climate change.
Alake disclosed this on Monday while receiving the delegation of the Miners Association of Nigeria led by its national president, Dele Ayanleke.
The delegation included representatives of the VUKA group, co-organiser of the forthcoming Nigeria mining week and PriceWaterhouse Coopers, the foremost accounting firm.
According to the minister, Nigeria has been operating a mono-cultural economy for long, adding that the shift to solid minerals is overdue. He stated the ministry is committed to making the required policies to ensure that its regulatory framework is more conducive for local and foreign investors.
“Our vision is to make solid minerals our pride, a major contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product. We will diversify from oil, to exploit it for the survival of Nigeria. This is our own contribution to climate change,” he said.
Alake further said that the federal, state and local governments would come together to resolve any issues within the ambit of the law.
Speaking on securing the mining sector environment for maximum yield to the federal government, the minister stated that high-end technology and inter-agency taskforce would be deployed to arrest the menace.
He also sought partnership with the miners’ association to strengthen the ministry’s capacity, as well as to enhance the growth and repositioning of the sector.
In his remarks, Ayanleke, said the ministry’s seven-point agenda would consolidate and enhance the sector for maximum contribution to national development.
