|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By our reporter, Lafia
The Federal Government on Friday applauded the Nasarawa State Government for sustained cooperation and partnership in developing the solid minerals sector.
Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development gave the commendation in Lafia.
The Minister who was represented by the Director General, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Nkom said the contributions of the Nasarawa State Government under the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule toward the mining sector was enormous.
According to the Minister, Nasarawa State has grown her investment haven for minerals and other businesses to thrive as a result of the business-enabling climate Gov Sule’s administration has created through its policies and programmes.
“You will agree with me that his excellency’s contributions and achievements being recorded in the renewed hope agenda in the minerals sector can never be overemphasised.
“I must add here that we have had seamless coordination and cooperation from all of you, particularly the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
“It is on record that Gov Sule’s first official visit after he assumed office in his first tenure, was the Ministry of solid minerals development, So, he hit the ground running and there’s no doubt about his intentions to be able to develop the solid minerals sector.
“This, he demonstrated in the groundbreaking event of Gafen lithium processing and the Avatar News Energy Lithium processing plant in Nasarawa Local Government Area as the largest Lithium processing in the world,” he said.
He commended the governor’s proactiveness in managing security issues while acknowledging that where mineral resources were found it was always accompanied by chaos and insecurity.
“We are happy that Nasarawa state has not been turned into a war zone because of your careful and Proactiveness in managing the situation.
“And that’s why continually, you never relented in coming to the ministry in relating to all Stakeholders to develop the sector and ensure there’s peace,” he said.
On Gafen and Lidel mining Companies cases, the Minister said he has approved the concern being raised in the report by the committee over the mining case between the companies and the community.
The Minister said,” We had issues that came up, particularly mentioned was the case between the Community and the company called Gafen and one or two companies, which lingering over the years, the Gov was able set up a high power delegation and has had reason to be part of that committee.
“Is very much unusual to find the Gov and his Deputy, security, Emir of Nasarawa, I must add here that we have had seamless coordination and cooperation from all of you particularly the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
“The Minister has directed me to inform you that based on the committee and your concern in making sure the sector is developed, after receiving your report on the findings, of the agreement, he has graciously approved the control area of 3.5 C U as recommended by committee and by you to be able to divide it appropriately.
“I believe that at this particular meeting, I have come with his approval to convey to you on that area.”
Alake used the meeting to thank Gov Sule for his approval to host the National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development in the state.
Responding, Gov Abdullahi Sule thanked the minister for bringing reforms to the mining sector and robust partnership with the various states toward developing the sector.
“For the resolution of that 3. 5 CU,
I want to thank you sincerely for allocating that, you brought in so much to Nasarawa State and that is our message to the Hon Minister.
“And from the letter you have given me, the first area I look is to see how much of the CU has been allocated to Nasarawa state and I see 1.5 CU out of 3.5 CU.
We are going to be so transparent with the community, one-third of 1. 5 C U allocated to the state will be given to the community, and the stakeholders will decide exactly the needs of the community, is it school or clinic,” he said.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.