The federal government through the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said that the ministry is set to provide logistics and technical assistance to state governments, in their bid to invest in the mining sector.
Fayemi disclosed this when he received the Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, in his office.
”The diversification plan of the government would be better realised with states’ involvement in mining ventures. We want successful projects at state level. It will help us to showcase our seriousness in becoming a mining nation,” he said.
Dr. Fayemi,who with his counterpart Minister of State, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, received Governor Umahi, said, “The ministry’s budget for 2017 has captured exploration, reclamation of mining sites and organisation of artisanal miners, among other things that would reposition the sector”.
He lauded Governor Umahi’s commitment to tapping the mineral deposits in his state and for making Ebonyi State a mining destination.
“The state is a model for others to emulate assuring the governor that the ministry has put together an environmental team to work on reclamations of mining sites for the welfare of the host communities,” he said.
Governor Umahi had said that beyond agriculture, Nigeria would generate more revenue from mining, adding that more countries are looking towards Nigeria because of the mineral resources.
