Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has resumed work at the ministry’s headquarters, in Abuja shortly after the inaugural meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday.
Fayemi, who was received by top officials of the ministry, held a meeting with them.
In attendance at the meeting were the Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Abubakar Bwari, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, and some directors.
Fayemi told them of government’s plan to re-position the ministry as a major contributor to the economy growth of the country, adding that no stone would be left unturned in the bid to achieve the set goals.
Meanwhile, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has congratulated Fayemi over his appointment as
Minister of Solid Minister, urging him to use his position for the commercial exploitation of the abundant solid mineral resources in the state.
The governor said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti by his Special
Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, that President Muhammadu Buhari must have considered the need for commercial exploitation of the solid minerals spread across towns and villages in Ekiti State before arriving at the choice of Fayemi as Solid Minerals Minister.
He said; “Ekiti has solid minerals like clay kaolin, cassiterite, tin ore, columbite, bauxite (Alluminium Ore), foundry sand and charconite granite.
“Even in Isan-Ekiti, Fayemi’s hometown, there is clay kaolin that can be used for abrasive, plastics, ceramics ware, pharmaceuticals, textiles, fertilizers, white tiles and insulator wares pencils.
“Now that the Federal Government is talking about diversification of the economy, Fayemi should use his position to assist Ekiti State in harnessing its solid mineral resources for the economic benefit of the State and Nigeria.
“I, therefore, congratulate Fayemi for this appointment and thank President Buhari for the appointment.
“It is my prayers that God, in His infinite mercies, will grant him (Fayemi) the wisdom and strength to use the new position for the betterment of Ekiti State in particular and Nigeria in general,” the governor said.
