FG will work with Govs to harness Solid Minerals resources- Alake

By Palma Ileye

Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has disclosed that it will work with State Governors to harness mineral resources for maximum socio-economic development of the country.

According to a press release issued yesterday by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information of the Ministry, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake gave this assurance when the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule paid him courtesy visit in his office at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking further, Alake said that the Ministry was determined and committed to harness the nation’s mineral resources, emphasizing that Nasarawa State and other endowed States across the country will soon witness swell and rapid development that will enhance the living standards of the citizenry under the renewed hope agenda of this administration.

He said, “Nasarawa State is very significant in terms of the development of mineral sector …and we are putting the mechanisms together, we are crossing the ts and dotting the i,s to make sure that the nation derive maximum benefits from this God given gift of minerals that are in abundance in Nigeria.”

Continuing the Minister said: “We are going to harness and utilize efficiently effectively and proficiently to ensure that Nigeria really expends the resources also judiciously from solid minerals. That is the next petroleum of Nigeria.”

While acknowledging the importance and significance of Nasarawa State as sitting on the next petroleum of Nigeria; the Minister affirmed that it was imperative to cooperate and synergize and coordinate all the dynamics surrounding minerals exploration exploitation and judicious spending of the resources.

To this end, the Solid Minerals Minister expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State for the visit, stressing, it epitomizes the synergy that was expected between the Federal and State Governments to develop the critical Solid Minerals sector.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule said he was very pleased that Dele Alake was the Minister of a Ministry that means more than anything to Nasarawa State.

Engr. Sule further enthused that he regarded Alake’s appointment as a win win situation for the entire nation.