The Permanent Secretary the Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe has described the National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD) as an invaluable platform to chart a way forward for a sustainable development of the minerals and metal sector.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development/Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe said this on the sidelines of the 5th Edition of the National Council On Mining and Minerals Resources Development meeting Monday in Ilorin, Kwara State,
He said, ”So we are here as stakeholders in the sector to deliberate on best way forward, so that we get the blessings of what God has given to us in the minerals and metal sector. That is my expectation”.
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary affirmed the importance of the Council’s meeting saying only a collective effort will ensure the sustainable development of Nigeria’s solid Minerals sector.
The theme of the meeting is, ”Minerals and Metals sector: a panacea for economic growth and Diversity”.
She said: ” There is no better time to have such a topic as now, the nation is depending on the Solid mineral and Metals sector for it’s economic prosperity for two reasons: Fossil fuel is gradually being phased out with the advent of electric cars …we may not get buyers for our fuel . Secondly, the world is going green and we must not be left behind . And for us, we are highly blessed with the energy minerals as well”.
To this end, Dr Ogbe expressed her profound appreciation to representatives from various government agencies, private sector players, and other Stakeholders who attended, stressing, their presence demonstrates commitment to the growth and advancement of the mineral and metal resources sector.
While extolling the importance of the meeting to realizing the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu for the sector for the benefits of the people; the Permanent Secretary affirmed that this edition of the NCMMRD affords stakeholders in the sector and invaluable platform to deliver on key issues affecting the sector and chart a way forward.
She said: ”Our Agenda for today includes discussions on policy reforms, investment opportunities, community engagement, environmental sustainability, and fostering innovation in the sector”
The Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Mrs Funke Sokoya, in her welcome address, seized the opportunity of the occasion to make a passionate appeal to the Honourable Ministers and Council members of today’s occasion, stressing, the yearly resolutions agreed upon should be judiciously utilized. If done, the participants would be solving most of the challenges facing them in their respective states- as evident in the sub-themes of this event, issues such as illegal mining and community development agreements ( CDA), Mrs Sokoya emphasized .
Amongst the participants who graced the opening ceremony were the Kwara State Commissioner for Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, Alhaji AbdulQuawiy Olododo, who represented the Executive Governor of Kwara State; Directors of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development/Steel Development, Director-General/ CEOs of Agencies of the two Ministries.
