We’ll develop mineral, metal sector for Nigeria’s economic growth – Minister
The Minister of State, Ministry of Steel Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu disclosed that the development of the minerals and metals sector is crucial to the economic growth of the country.
The minister who said this in his good will message at the 5th Council on Mining and Minerals Resources Development (NCMMRD), Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, urged stakeholders to be committed to using the sector to help navigate Nigeria to higher levels of economic and infrastructural development.
Ahmadu noted that the meeting provided the platform for stakeholders to forge efficient partnerships and chart a path forward that will translate the nation’s minerals and metals ambitions into profitable action that would be the envy of Africa and a powerhouse for the nation’s economic transformation.
He also stressed the importance of developing the minerals and metals sector, stating that the sector stands as the backbone of modern infrastructure, industrial development and the foundation upon which countless other sectors thrive.
He added that “building a thriving Nigerian minerals and metals industry is not just an economic imperative; it is a national imperative, job creating, empowering communities, and laying the groundwork for a self-reliant, diversified economy”.
The minister expressed optimism that the vision of a vibrant minerals and metals Sector is achievable, stating that the country have the resources, ingenuity, and the indomitable spirit to unlock the immense potential of the sector and build a Nigeria where minerals and metals become not just resources, but catalysts for a brighter future for the country.
“let us leave this Council not just with resolutions etched on paper, but with a fire in our hearts, a commitment to unlock the immense potential of this sector and build a Nigeria where Minerals and Metals become not just resources, but catalysts for a brighter tomorrow,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion, Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, reiterated the need to need to diversify the economy and harness potentials in the minerals and metals sectors cannot be over-emphasised.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq revealed that as part of efforts to maximise the minerals and metals potentials of the State, the administration has recently registered five Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and also plans to establish a standard mineral market in the State, where all minerals mined from the State will first be registered before they are transported to other places.
He appealed for support to enable the state actualise its dream of becoming a major minerals and metals producing state in State in the Country as it is blessed with abundant viable mineral resources as each of the 16 Local Government Areas in the State has at least six different minerals in commercial quantities.
