Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed with the Perm Sec, Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Min, Dr Oluwatotoyin Akinlade
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
For the implementation of the Artisanal and Small Mining Cluster Development Project for the North East geopolitical zone, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has selected Bauchi state for the subregion.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade when she led members of staff of the Ministry on a courtesy visit to the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir at the Government House, Bauchi.
Akinlade said that the project which includes the development of Kaolin value chain through the establishment of a processing plant and possibly, equipment leasing platform, would provide opportunities for enhanced exploitation of the mineral for job and wealth creation.
She explained that under the project, the Federal Government will embark on infrastructural development in the cluster area to increase the ease of doing business, adding that, the project will organize the Artisanal and Small scale operators in the project area into clusters and or cooperatives.
The Permanent Secretary also said that the clusters will be provided with common facilities and coordinated activities to enable easy formalization of the artisanal mining activities in the Kaolin supply chain, as well as avail them the opportunity for value addition and market accessibility.
She said that, “Your Excellency, I am honoured to be in your midst to bring to you information on the activities of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development towards the implementation of the one of the Presidential directives to revive and sustain the country’s economy which has been suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“In a bid to stem the worsening economic situation, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari established the Economic Sustainability Plan Committee where the committee recommended the execution of projects in different sectors of the economy, including development of Artisanal and Small Mining clusters in each of the six geopolitical zones to spur accelerated growth of socioeconomic activities in the country”, she also said.
Akinlade therefore applauded Governor Bala Mohammed for the allocation of five hectares of Land at Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state for the project and reaffirmed the readiness of the Ministry to support the state government in boosting its economy.
She said that, “It is noteworthy that this development is the Federal Government support to His Excellency’s lofty strives in providing employment and empowerment opportunities for the people of Bauchi state, especially the teeming youths.”
While appreciating the Ministry for giving the opportunity to Bauchi state to implement the project for the North East, State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed pledged to support the initiative for its full implementation.
The governor who expressed concern over irregularities in the activities of miners in the state, said his administration will continue to work with the ministry for the advancement of mining sector.
Mohammed said that, “I welcome you to Government House Bauchi on behalf of the Government and people of Bauchi state, I must appreciate the Honorable Ministers in the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for bringing this project Bauchi.”
The Governor then granted approval for a five hectares of land for the project anywhere in the state for smooth operation.
