BY FRANCIS KADIRI, ABUJA.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has commended the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) for the milestones it recorded in mineral exploration and generation of reliable geosciences data, adding that the availability of data on minerals in Nigeria has placed the country at advantage for foreign investment.
He however called on the Agency to do more, adding that a lot more needs to be done.
Alake, who gave the commendation at a Technical Forum organized by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, in Abuja, on Wednesday, underscored the crucial importance of the Agency, saying that there would be no meaningful achievement in the sector until there is bankable data on mineral resources in the country.
Alake, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources in the Ministry, Mohammed Sulieman noted that the Agency plays a key role in the realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration which is basically to revitalize the solid minerals sector for resource diversification.
The minister stated: “The Ministry holds the NGSA in a very high esteem because the Agency plays a very prominent role in the realization of the renewed hope agenda of the present administration which emphasis is on the need to take the solid minerals sector to higher heights.”
“We in the ministry, we are proud of the achievements of the Agency, and we believe that you can build on the achievements,” he emphasized.
Director-General of the Agency, Dr. Abdulrazaq Garba agreed with the minister that the Agency has prominent roles to play in providing relevant and up-to-date geosciences information necessary for economic development of the country.
While noting that geoscience information is crucial to the progress and development of the mining industry which is critical to achievement of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda of economic diversification, the Director General pledged the continued commitment of the Agency to mandate success.
Director-General explained that the Agency convened the NGSA Technical Forum to provide a veritable and robust platform for professionals in geosciences and mining, the academia, researchers, investors and the general public to be kept abreast of the Agency’s progress in her traditional and evolving responsibilities to the nation.
Dr. Garba Stated: “Geoscience information is crucial for the progress and development of the mining industry which is critical to the achievement of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government which involves the realization of economic diversification through the development of the solid minerals sector.”
He said the Agency is adopting and integrating innovative technology for data acquisition, data integration, modeling, and predictive geosciences, adding that geological surveys all over the world develop and adopt systems and structures adapted and tailored to their respective needs and peculiarities.
According to Dr. Garba, the mandate of Geological Surveys in developed and developing economies has grown from basic geological mapping and resource assessment to earth systems monitoring and integrated data management as a strategy to enhance national security and development.
He said it is clear that while countries around the world adopt sustainable development principles and while they are reviewing challenges and dynamics of energy transitioning, a paradigm shift is expected in the Geological Surveys.
“The Geological Surveys are quickly evolving in order to cater for the expected increase in demands of a wide and diverse set of stakeholders,” he added.
He said the NGSA is strengthening its focus and resolve to generate qualitative data that will meet the requirements of all the relevant stakeholders in the sector, with activities that are geared towards the diversification of the national economy.
Director-General, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, NMCO, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom commended the contribution of the NGSA to national development, adding that NMCO would continue to collaborate with the Agency.
Engr. Nkom described the Minister as a man of knowledge who has the capacity to bring about breakthroughs in the solid minerals sector. He therefore called on stakeholders to take advantage of the opportune moment by making judicious use of this opportunity to position the sector.
