By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has tasked Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development on strengthen partnership, especially through funding to propel Nigeria’s solid minerals sector toward sustained economic impact.
The Minister spoke during an oversight visit by the team led by its Chairman, Senator Ekong Sampson, to the Ministry’s headquarters on Monday, where he highlighted the ministry’s recent achievements and ambitious vision for solidifying Nigeria’s role in the global minerals landscape.
He also applauded the ministry’s progress in attracting foreign investment and expanding Nigeria’s presence on the international stage, particularly after Nigeria’s local value-addition policy was endorsed at the recent Africa Minerals Strategy Group summit.
“Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is now a global player,” the Minister noted.
He attributed these strides to active engagement with both local and international stakeholders.
“Your critical feedback has been vital to our progress. We look forward to an even closer collaboration with the Senate to ensure our work leaves a lasting legacy,” he said.
Dr. Alake equally outlined the ministry’s significant revenue growth achieved despite budget constraints, and the Senate to address the ministry’s funding needs to expand impact further.
The Minister reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and accountable mining environment, pledging to further educate mining operators on the importance of legislative oversight.
He highlighted a two-pronged strategy designed to ensure both industry expansion and support for local operators. The first prong focuses on establishing fair, transparent regulatory frameworks, while the second prong prioritizes local participation through a redistribution model that gives preference to Nigerian operators.
In his own contribution, Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Ekong Sampson, commended the ministry’s achievements, particularly in improving revenue performance.
“This sector is crucial to our economy, and we are impressed by the improved revenue profile,” Senator Sampson remarked, adding that the Committee is committed to maximizing the sector’s potential through partnership with the Ministry.
The Chairman assured of the Committee’s continued support for the ministry’s objectives saying that the solid minerals sector is pivotal in Nigeria’s economic advancement.
“Together with the Ministry and through active collaboration, we are confident in our ability to drive sustainable development in this essential sector.
“Illegal operators not only undermine revenue but also disrupt oversight functions. By enacting stronger legal measures, we can create a mining environment free from unauthorized activities,” he said.
In remarks at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Mary Ogbe, shared plans to establish a Nigerian University of Mines to develop skilled professionals with the technical expertise required for sustainable resource management. “Our vision is to equip experts who will drive innovation and best practices in mining to fuel Nigeria’s economic growth,” she stated.
