…Says mining is all about data
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, has received the Preliminary Report on the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project (NIMEP).
Speaking during the presentation ceremony of the NIMEP committee led by its chairman, Dr. Addulrazaq Garuba, the director-general, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Adegbite said the knowledge of the data of the mineral deposits in the country makes exploration easier and, invariably, attracts investment in the mining and mineral sector.
He maintained that the mining sector helps to generate foreign exchange and create employment for the teeming youths, while exploration creates wealth along the mineral value chain.
Receiving the report which he described as “a very good and laudable project”, Adegbite explained that NIMEP was designed to provide geosciences data needed for integrated mineral exploration in Nigeria. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari who has not only supported but has also shown commitment towards diversifying the economy through the mineral and mining sector.
Also, he lauded the committee on NIMEP for doing excellent work which, according to him, will form the basis for developing the geosciences data centre of the ministry.
In her remarks, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade, expressed immense satisfaction with the staff of the ministry for conceptualizing NIMEP, which she noted as very important, not only to the mining and mineral sector but to Nigeria.
She enjoined all Nigerians to take advantage of the abundant national resources in Nigeria and work assiduously towards moving the country to greater heights.
Earlier, Garuba, maintained that NIMEP project faced several security challenges, ranging from kidnapping to banditry, as well as interference by local government authorities, community restiveness amongst others.
