Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has cautioned that some feathers would be ruffled in the process of repositioning the sector, saying that government would demand strict compliance with regulatory framework by local and foreign investors as well as excellent work ethics from its workforce.
This is as he assured that the sector would receive better funding and attention from government in order to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of using it to diversify the economy and for employment generation.
Fayemi stated this in Kaduna during his working visits to the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA) and the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA).
The minister said: “The President’s mandate is clear- to make solid minerals an alternative source of revenue and for employment generation. We must achieve these set goals. We will support you- the workers and all the agencies under the ministry, but we shall hold you accountable for every penny.
“The President has sent us (the minister and the minister of state) to deliver on his mandate, we will do it without minding whose ox is gored.” He added.
Fayemi said that the ministry would support artisans and those categorised as ‘illegal miners’ and will also regulate their activities.
He challenged the various institutions and agencies under the ministry to be alive to their responsibilities of providing technical support to the sector.
Fayemi said there was need for a review of activities of the various agencies under the ministry through self-audit with a view to determining whether they are still in tune with current reality.
“The critical questions you must ask yourselves now is how do you fit into the agenda. Should it be business as usual or should we explore other creative ways of doing it”, the minister added.
The minister who was accompanied by the minister of state in the ministry, Abubakar Bwari, and the Permanent Secretary, Mr Istifanus Fuktur, had earlier visited the National Metallurgical Development Centre and the Nigeria Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos for an on-the-spot assessment of facilities in the agencies.
