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By Peter Adelowo
To transform Nigeria’s solid minerals sector in view of the renewed hope agenda of the present administration, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has expressed commitment to partner various agencies in boosting the sector.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake stated this at the third annual international conference of Nigeria Association of Exploration Geologists,( NAEG) for Geoscientists and Engineers, with the themed “Exploration Geophysics, Earth Resources and Environmental problems in modern Nigeria” in Abuja
Dr Alake who was represented by the the Director of Artisans and Small Scale Mining in the Ministry, Mr. Akinrogunde Akintunde stressed the need to move beyond outdated practices and fully utilize the nation’s vast mineral resources through partnerships.
Dr. Alake further hailed geophysicists commitment to Nigeria’s economy development through transformation of energy and oil sector.
In his welcome address, the President Nigeria Association of Exploration Geologists, NAEG, Akinola George said lack of geotechnical data responsible for high rate of structural collapse in the country.
“To buttress this fact, the studies carried out between 1990 and 2012 showed that most of the collapsed buildings were founded on buried river Channels, fractured zones and zones of structural disturbances, apart from causes from inferior and substandard building materials used during construction” George added.
George called on Nigerians at all levels to collaborate with the government to tackle the problem of collapsed structures through the involvement of experts while building.
Speaking on the country’s minerals, he insisted that for Nigeria to benefit economically from its numerous minerals, there must be value addition before expiration.
“I like to place on record the NAEG, is quite happy with the strategic initiatives being put in place by the Mining Cadastral office in the issuance of mining licenses to prospective investors which have now been completely digitalized with easy access to choice of sites desired” George emphasized.
“I also wish to register the NAEG, support and stand by the directives issued by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development that the nation’s Solid raw materials need to be semi processed before export, so as to fulfill value addition concept for maximum benefit derivation for Nigeria”
On his part, the Director General, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, Professor Olusegun Ige stated that geosciences is the heartbeat of the solid minerals sector.
Professor Ige who was represented by the Director Economic Geology in the Agency, Mr. Isaac Okorie pledged the continuous commitment of the agency to make sure that the sector strives.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, Professor Nasir Abdulsalami who said there will be no geosciences without Geophysics appeal to Nigerians to join forces in the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta steel plant by next year.
Highlight of the conference was the conferrment of fellowship award to the President NAEG, Akinola George, the Speaker house of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, Former Minister of Mines and Steel, Musa Sada, Director General of the MCO, Obadiah Nkom, the Director General of the NGSA, Professor Olusegun Ige among others.
There were goodwill messages from the the PTDF, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria mining and Geosciences society, the Chairman board of Trustees of the NAEG, Professor Deborah Ajakaiye among others.
