GREAT IMO JONATHAN
Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, the Honourable Minister Of State, Mines And Steel Development, in a meeting hosted by the substantive Minister, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, said that the “Ministry is determined to look into every request made by Miners Association of Nigeria, to ensure that they are attended to, in order to achieve stakeholders collective objective”.
In addition, Dr. Ogah will like Nigerian miners to “make mining a competition”. This in his believe will instigate quality mining outcomes and improve the overall output of the industry.
Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah reminded stakeholders that mining started in Nigeria before oil and gas sector overtook the sector. But said that they were determined to reclaim the sector’s initial commanding height as a major revenue earner and that “it will be done”.
Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, the Honourable Minister Mines And Steel Development, had earlier told the association that the “ministry is ready to work with all stakeholders in order to achieve the next level agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari”. He informed the visiting body that he and his Minister of State as a matter of demonstration of readiness for collaboration have decided to address each other and relate with one other as brothers, insisting that there is need for collaborative effort.
The Honourable Minister used the occasion to plead with states in Nigeria to “allow the Federal Government to drive the sector, such that big mining corporations can come into the industry and make it a huge revenue earner” for States and the Federal Government. He appealed strongly to state governments to allow the Federal Government to oversee the sector, generate and share accrual revenue to all strata of government, especially now that there is plan to review revenue sharing formula in favour of states.
Mining Association of Nigeria was on a courtesy visit, to congratulate both on their appointment as Ministers. Other stakeholders were also on hand to join the body in congratulating the Ministers and to brief them on the upcoming Nigeria Mining Week, slated for October 14 to 16, 2019, in the city of Abuja, including PWC, PW and iPAD.
Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah ceased the opportunity to appeal to PW to help de-risk the industry and gave a promise that all legal frameworks necessary to accelerate activities in the sector will be put in place.