The federal government has restated its firm resolve to diversify the economy through an efficient, effective exploration and exploitation of its solid mineral resources to achieve rapid socio-economic growth.
Receiving an 18-member delegation from Ghana College of Defence Studies led by Brigadier-General Fred Ntiri, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary; Mr Yunnusa Muhammed Director, Artisanal & Small Scale Mining Department informed the visitors that in realisation of a plummeting revenue from a monolithic Nigerian economy, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration deemed it imperative to diversify the economy in line with its renewed hope agenda.
This, according to him, is aimed at increasing revenue to government coffers and as well enhance the gross domestic product of the country through the solid mineral sector.
The Director said:” Nigeria has operated a monolithic economy since the late 1950s. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deemed it necessary to diversify the economy. Solid Minerals sector is now being accorded high priority to achieve rapid socio-economic development and prosperity for the benefit of Nigerians”.
Continuing, he expressed strong optimism that the interactive forum between the management of Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Ghana College of Defence Studies led by Brig-General Ntiri, emanating from the presentation by Dr. Vivian Okono, Director of Mining Environmental Compliance Department will expand their frontiers of knowledge.
Speaking about international best practices in Mining, Mr Muhammed asserted that Nigeria stands to gain from Ghana’s enormously rich experience spanning several decades most especially in Artisanal Small Mining.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Brigadier-General Fred Ntiri stated that their visit to the Ministry was part of a deliberate initiative to achieve experiential knowledge of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals sector aside from their classroom environment.
The theme of their study visit was ”Environment, Security & Development”. He affirmed that the overall mandate of the Ghana College of Defence Studies is woven around deploying strategies that would enhance the living standards of Ghanaians.
In her lead presentation, the Director of Mines Environmental Compliance Department, Dr Vivian Okono enlightened the visitors on the structure of the ministry, regulatory framework, functions of departments/agencies/institutions, and lastly, opportunities and government initiatives.
Furthermore, it is pertinent to state that the interactive session generated by Dr Okono’s presentation enriched the visitor’s horizon with gainful insights into Ministry’s policies initiatives, and measures aimed at sanitizing the solid minerals sector of the economy. The Director Mines Inspectorate Department Engr Imam Ganiyu and other management staff graced the meeting with useful contributions.
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