The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Lafarge Africa Plc has entered into a partnership to help the administration of President Bola Tinubu realise its ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, who disclosed that it would be a very productive partnership, to help the current administration achieve its lofty goals in the course of its time in office.
During the visit of a Lafarge Africa Plc delegation, led by the company’s group managing director, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Alake emphasised the critical role Lafarge Africa Plc plays in the mining sector of the Nigerian economy. This role aligns with the present administration’s policy to make the solid minerals sector a significant contributor to the nation’s gross domestic product.
Addressing his guests, Alake expressed appreciation for Lafarge’s significant presence in Nigeria’s economic landscape. He acknowledged the company’s importance within the industry and pledged support while eagerly anticipating its contribution to the nation’s economy.
The minister spoke about creating an enabling environment for industries involved in the extractive sector to thrive and flourish in their exploration and exploitation activities. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, is taking steps to ensure that mining industry players operate in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere to benefit the nation.
Alake commented, “We are creating an enabling environment for the exploration of minerals and implementing mechanisms to ensure that mining industry players operate in a peaceful atmosphere for the nation’s benefit.”
In response to Lafarge Africa Plc’s innovative initiative to explore mineral deposits as inputs that will reduce carbon emissions in cement production, Alake recognised that it would increase Nigeria’s contribution to addressing climate change. He pledged the Ministry’s cooperation in this endeavor.
Alade-Akinyemi applauded the appointment of Alake as the Minister for Solid Minerals Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He saw this appointment as a testament to Alake’s competence and track record.
Alade-Akinyemi affirmed that minimising carbon emissions in cement production is a policy priority for Lafarge Africa Plc. He sought the cooperation and support of the ministry to achieve this goal, stating that the company eagerly looked forward to working closely with the ministry on its seven-point agenda.
This partnership between the Solid Minerals Ministry and Lafarge Africa Plc signifies a concerted effort to contribute to Nigeria’s economic revival and the realisation of President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda. The collaboration’s emphasis on sustainable practices in the mining sector aligns with broader global efforts to combat climate change.
