By Louis Achi
Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a draft policy for the solid minerals sector, encompassing all activities, operations, guidelines, regulatory framework, sourcing, and mining, among other dynamics in the sector.
Tagged the “Agenda for the Transformation of the Solid minerals Sector for international Competitiveness and Domestic Prosperity”, highlights of the agenda includes creation of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Corporation; Joint Venture with Mining Multinationals; Big Data on specific seven priority minerals and their deposits; Mine surveillance task force and Mine Police amongst others.
Speaking to newsmen after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake stated that the approval empowered the ministry to act precisely on various issues, including security measures, combating illegal mining activities across the country, and securing Nigeria’s economic survival.
According to a press statement by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Tuesday, the Solid Minerals Minister, Alake, said, ” Solid minerals sector is critical to Nigeria’s economic survival due to ongoing changes in the global oil market, the push for climate change, and the shift towards green energy. Illegal mining activities, from artisanal miners to high-level involvement, are significant challenges.
“Hence, the government is reorganising the security structure and engaging in inter-agency cooperation to combat the menace.”
“The approval today, as part of the policy, allows the Solid Minerals Ministry to act on all matters related to deregulation, management, operation, and environmental sanitization of the Solid Minerals sector. This makes the sector more investor-friendly, ensuring security and stability for investments, and attracting both local and foreign investors.”
The Minister added that operationalization of the solid minerals sector through FEC approval will not only sanitize the sector, but consequently lead to the creation of six (6) Mineral Processing Centres to focus on value added products which will ultimately make solid minerals a major revenue and foreign exchange earner for the nation.
