As the count down to the 2022 Nigeria Mining Week begins, the Federal Government has assured investors and stakeholders that Abuja, the nation’s capital, is safe to host the mining event.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite gave this assurance during the second press briefing to usher in the sixth edition of the Nigeria Mining Week at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, yesterday (October 27, 2022).
He disclosed that the Federal Government is not resting on its oars to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country, adding that the nation’s security apparatus has been duly briefed to take care of the security situation. He noted that evidence of the city’s safety is the declaration of the event open by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The minister stated that the event, scheduled to hold from November 1-3, 2022, with the theme “Successes and Achievements in the Mining Sector”, will highlight the giant strides of the present administration through the minerals sector (one of the cardinal drivers of the Diversification agenda).
He noted that key issues to be discussed at the mining week, would include the vital mineral resources of the future which are building blocks for sources of green, renewable energy, while allowing us to keep in line with the environmental, social and governance (ESG) global standards, the acquisition of bankable geo-scientific data, the efficient and transparent mineral title administration processes, as well as downstream opportunities in the mining sector and the Nigerian Mineral value-chain Regulations 2021, among others.
He encouraged stakeholders to participate actively, as Nigeria has enormous amounts of minerals of the future that are vital for global economic well-being.
In her remarks, the Minister of State Mines and Steel Development, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki stated that the press conference was aimed to sensitise the mineral sector stakeholders and the general public on the upcoming 2022 Mining Week and to court the support of the media.
She noted that the 2022 Mining Week will be distinct in many ways, especially being the first physical event after the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, as well as showcasing other developments that have shaped the industry under the present administration.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade noted that this year’s edition of the mining week will entail very exciting conversations around achievements and solutions to challenges. She expressed profound appreciation to stakeholders for the enthusiasm shown towards the programme.
Earlier, the acting national president, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Musa Muhammad noted that the interest generated across the globe in terms of calls from both local and international public and private investors and stakeholders has been enormous.
He said the association has been working round the clock to ensure that the event is not only a huge success but lives up to the desired expectations.
Muhammad expressed the association’s gratitude to the ministry, PwC and Vuka Group for their efforts and execution of the Nigeria Mining Week programme over the years.
Representative of PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC), Habib Jayeola enjoined stakeholders to register and attend as several achievements, on-going projects and successes in the sector would be discussed, seeing as “mining is the next narrative for Nigeria”.
A statement by the director, press and public relations department, Tine-Iulun M.A., said the business development manager, Vuka Group, South Africa, Kudakwashe Tsingano thanked the sponsors for the support shown towards the event over the years and encouraged stakeholders to ask questions on areas of concern for clarification.
