The Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, has said operating within mining extant laws will engender peaceful coexistence between operators and host communities.
Speaking during a facility tour of BUA Cement, Ukpilla, Edo State during his three-day working visit to the state, he tasked operators to carry out responsible mining for the benefit of all, adding that the Federal Government in demonstrating its commitment towards ensuring increased revenue in the mineral sector is putting finishing touches to laws which will help mining companies exist peacefully with the communities where the minerals are found.
He encouraged them to maintain good community relations for enhanced production, stating that maximum production of the plant would be of immense benefit to the Federal Government and create jobs for lots of Nigerians.
Ogah noted that the interaction with mining operators would enable the government to know the challenges faced by operators and intervene by proffering solutions. He assured of the ministry’s commitment to helping them succeed. “The success of the plant makes the ministry happy”.
The minister enjoined the management to consider the request of the community and provide a mast to improve cellular services, requesting that the group reach out to service providers on behalf of the company.
The plant director, Engr. Ahmed Idris, while revealing that 98 per cent of raw materials used for production were sourced in the vicinity, stated that the plant had two lines with a production capacity of 3 million tonnes each. He disclosed that they were planning to have more lines of production.
A statement by the ministry’s director of press signed by Tine-Iulun M.A, said the minister was accompanied by the Edo State commissioner, ministry of mining, oil and gas, Ethan Uzamere and zonal mines officer, Abdulkadir Adamu.
The statement added that the ministry’s entourage also visited Dangote Cement’s production unit and Chinese mining company, Zhong Xin Quarry, all in Ukpilla.
