By Stella Odueme
As part of calculated strategy to deliver on Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake has pledged commitment to reposition the solid minerals sector as a key pillar of economic diversification, job creation, and inclusive growth.
The Minister who gave the assurance on Friday at the ongoing two-day Ministerial Retreat with the theme; “Enhancing Performance, Strengthening Accountability and Fostering Innovation in the Solid Minerals Sector” said the retreat serves as a platform to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which challenges every Ministry, Department, and Agency to deliver measurable, people-centered results.
“This Retreat is more than just an opportunity for introspection.
It is a platform to drive forward the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which challenges every Ministry, Department, and Agency to deliver measurable, people-centered results.
The Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, challenges every ministry to deliver measurable, impactful outcomes for the Nigerian people.
“Our Ministry has embraced this challenge with commitment and vigor, determined to reposition the solid minerals sector as a key pillar of economic diversification, job creation, and inclusive growth. Our strategy is encapsulated in the Seven Point Agenda for positioning the solid minerals sector for international competitiveness and domestic consolidation.”
The Minister outlined the aim of the retreat as to; review, refine, and align ministerial deliverables with the Renewed Hope Agenda; deepen our understanding of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) Framework for Performance management;
enhance leadership cohesion and strengthen cross-departmental collaboration;
institutionalize a results-based management culture; and develop a coherent, actionable strategic workplan that synchronizes departmental and agency-level activities with Presidential priorities.
Dr. Alake highlighted some of the achievements thus far as; establishment of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Company;r improving exploration and geological data;
Tackling illegal mining with mining marshals and artisanal co-operatives; value addition; global investment marketing to attract Foreign Direct Investment; and
Community development and environmental sustainability among others which has placed Nigeria in the forefront of championing the way forward for the Solid Minerals Sector in Africa.
“Besides directly addressing investors through speaking slots, our strategy of engaging potential investors at international mining conferences and exhibitions begins with securing excellent display locations and conducive, spacious offices for investment negotiations.
“We generate consistent traffic of investors interested in the solid minerals sector and many of them follow up by visiting Nigeria to concretise their deals. Examples include Auran, interested in bauxite, Power China, (Gold), Jampur Group, (Gold); Sinomach-HE, (Iron ore).
“This Value Addition policy has been adopted by ministers of mining in Africa under the auspices of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group and is driving the implementation of a ban on the export of raw minerals by African countries. In recognition of his role as the champion of value addition, the AMSG elected me as its pioneer chairman,” he noted.
The Minister commended the members of the committees on Solid Minerals Development of the Senate and the House of Representatives for their unwavering support in steering the sector toward national prosperity.
“The presence of the National Assembly Committees, is a testament to the collective commitment that we all share to reposition the solid minerals sector as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic prosperity,” he stressed.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Ekong Sampson noted that robust legislative support for the ministry harvest these gains being recorded for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“From gold to lithium, bitumen to coal, our underground rich hold the key to true economic diversification. Enhanced performance and innovation will unlock this wealth to transform lives, create jobs, curb insecurity, and earn foreign exchange.
“Our collaboration with the Ministry is key. We will keep refining policy and oversight to ensure Nigeria’s mineral wealth works for its people,” the Senator said.
On his part, Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, who noted that the ministry’s reforms has already attracted record-breaking investments, stressed on the need to build long lasting institutions that benefit the nation and is citizenry.
“In under two years, we moved from earning $6 billion to a revenue base of $38 billion and attracted over $800 billion in foreign direct investment.
“The creation of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Company is a masterstroke it puts us on the path of an oil-and-gas-like revolution. But we must build institutions that outlive us, so that our communities feel the benefits,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry,Engr. Yabo Faruk Yusuf, said that the retreat is a critical platform for reflection.
“Our Civil Service Week award shows what’s possible when we work together with commitment and accountability. This retreat is our springboard to do more.”
