FG Flags off Integrated Exploration Project To Reposition Mining Sector

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FG Flags off Integrated Exploration Project To Reposition Mining Sector

The Federal government of Nigeria has reaffirmed determination to reposition the mining sector by increasing its contribution to the GDP from a paltry 0.35% to 8.4% by the year 2020 as, it flag-off Integrated Exploration Project.

Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Hon. Abubakar Bawa, who now oversees the affairs of the ministry

disclosed this while performing the  flag-off of the MMSD Integrated Exploration Project under the Natural Resource Fund in Abuja.

He noted that a well developed mining sector will catalyze the country’s industrial revolution through import substitution while addressing the challenges of youth unemployment rampant poverty and insecurity.

Hon. Abubakar further stated that the success of  integrated exploration project will be critical in determining how far government can go in its efforts to reposition the sector.

The ninister therefore urged the contractors and consultants to strictly adhere to the job specification and contractual agreement stipulated in the term of engagement while ensuring that local expertise was adequately employed.

Earlier, the Director General, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) Mr Alex Nwegbu, noted that the urgent need to address the geoscience information deficit in the mining sector necessitated the MMSD to develop an ambitious exploration programme.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Engr Riaan Van Per assured the minister that local expertise would be adequately employed.

In the meantime, the minister stated that the flag-off of the Integrated Exploration Project is to give rise to the economic diversification agenda of President Muhammadu Buhar’s administration.