Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu and ex-director-general of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, have expressed admiration for the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake for revitalising national interest in the solid minerals sector.
During a recent courtesy visit to the minister, Shittu commended the efforts, highlighting the sector’s pivotal role in achieving sustainable economic diversification.
Shittu emphasised Nigeria’s abundance of mineral resources, stating that the nation has no reason to solely depend on declining oil revenue. He praised Alake for taking decisive steps to transform the mining sector through ongoing reforms aligned with his seven-point agenda.
In response, Alake reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to making solid minerals the nation’s top revenue earner. He assured that challenges and bottlenecks hindering seamless mining operations are being actively addressed.
“We are concentrating on exploring and exploiting at least eight minerals where we have a comparable advantage, and they exist in immense commercially viable quantities. We are addressing challenges, from issues of insecurity to unlicensed miners, securing the buy-in of host communities, protecting their rights, and incorporating their dues into mine operations. With the full support of President Bola Tinubu, we are reviewing policies for imminent execution,” he added.
A statement by the special assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori highlighted the minister’s assertion that “Nigeria is open for business”. Alake declared the mining sector’s readiness to attract both foreign and local investments, positioning it as the most appealing destination for potential investors.
