The Honorable Minister of Mines and Steel Development arch Olamilekan Adegbite has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Trade and Investment of the Russian Federation, in Sochi Russia. The MoU which is for scientific and technical cooperation in the field of Geosciences between Nigeria and Russia was signed during the Russia – Africa summit. President Muhammadu Buhari was the head of the Nigerian delegation to the summit.
The MOU which the Honorable minister signed on behalf of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, of the Ministry of Mines and Steel development, also has the African Export-Import Bank as a party to it.
A statement signed by Ayodeji Adeyemi, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister said the purpose of the MOU is to express the commitment of the Parties to conduct activities in the fields of Geoscience on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit.
The MOU spells out the forms of cooperation expected which include exchanges of scientific and technical information; exchange of study visits and scientists; collaboration on research activities; joint organization of symposia, conferences workshops and training programs; and other forms of cooperation as may be mutually agreed between the Parties.
The MOU also spells out areas of cooperation expected which include, Research and development on basic geology; Geological maps compilation and regional mineralization correlation; methodology and technology on geochemical mapping and remote sensing. Other areas of cooperation include Aero-geophysical Survey, Geo-database construction and geo-information sharing, Marine geology, Research and monitoring of Geo-hazards; among others.
The minister who was delighted with the MOU lauded President Buhari’s initiative to develop the nation’s mining sector. “President Buhari has given us so much support in the mining sector and it is now bearing fruits.’’
Dr Abdulrazaq Garba, Director-General, NGSA praised the leadership of Adegbite in masterminding the agreement. ‘The signing of the MOU is another dimension to the success that the ministry is achieving in international collaborations,’’ he said.
Present at the signing was Sergey Gorkov CEO and chairman of Russian State Geological Holding, ROSGEO, and Gerald Chilhota, representing the President of African Export-Import Bank
