By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, has reiterated that his ministry would work with state governors to harness mineral resources for maximum socio-economic development of the country as the federal government seeks to explore all alternative revenue sources away from oil and borrowing.
Mr Alake gave this assurance when the Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Abdullahi Sule, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
He noted that the ministry was determined and committed to harnessing the nation’s mineral resources, emphasising that Nasarawa State and other endowed states across the country will soon witness rapid development that will enhance the living standards of the citizenry under the renewed hope agenda of this administration.
“Nasarawa State is very significant in terms of the development of the mineral sector. We are putting the mechanisms together, we are crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s to make sure that the nation derives maximum benefits from this God-given gift of minerals that are in abundance in Nigeria”.
“We are going to harness and utilise efficiently, effectively and proficiently to ensure that Nigeria really expends the resources also judiciously from solid minerals. That is the next petroleum of Nigeria,” he added.
Mr Alake affirmed that it is imperative to cooperate, synergise and coordinate all the dynamics surrounding mineral exploration-exploitation and judicious spending of the resources.
To this end, the minister expressed gratitude to the governor for the visit, stressing that it epitomises the synergy that is expected between the federal and state governments to develop the critical solid mineral sector.
On his part, Governor Sule said he was very pleased that Mr Alake is the minister of a ministry that means more than anything to Nasarawa State.
Mr Sule further added that he regarded Mr Alake’s appointment as a win-win situation for the entire nation.
Modupe Gbadeyanka