The proposed amendment to the Mining Act of 2007 aims to maximize economic benefits and establish the solid minerals sector as a significant contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the near future, says Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake.
He disclosed this on Friday, August 30, during a stakeholder meeting organised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on Mining Policy Dialogue and Amendment of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, held at the Rock View Hotel Wuse II, Abuja.
Commending the commitment of stakeholders in the sector at the engagement workshop, the Minister highlighted the commonality of purpose existing between mine operators, policymakers and government on the need to deliberate and review the Nigerian Mining Act 2007, to gain economic benefits from the solid minerals sector.
”You and us in the Ministry have the same objective, and what is the objective, to ensure that we enhance the operating environment of Solid Minerals in Nigeria to maximize the benefits for you and all of us and of course, for the generality of Nigerians”, Alake said.
Alake further alluded to several initiatives and policies of the Ministry in the past year of being at the helm of affairs. These recorded milestones, he stated, have received positive reactions from Nigerians, international investors, policymakers, and observers.
To this end, the minister affirmed that the stakeholder meeting for reviewing the Mining Act is a positive step to reposition the sector as a pivot around which all other sectors of the Nigerian economy revolve.
“I want to appeal to every one of you to keep up the flag, keep up the strides, and keep on achieving in your various individual and corporate endeavours.
“At the end of the day, we wish all of us to come out with a new Nigerian Mining Act that will take cognizance of the interest of all sectors, with the interest of all stakeholders, the operators, companies, the policymakers, those of us on this side of the divide, and of course the generality of Nigerians”, Alake stated.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Mary Ogbe emphasized the importance of providing actionable solutions that will enhance the competitiveness of our mining sector.
”We are here not just to discuss challenges but to find actionable solutions that will enhance the competitiveness of our mining sector, promote transparency, ensure environmental sustainability, and ultimately improve the livelihoods of all Nigerians”, Ogbe said.
