FG Will Stop Leakages In Solid Minerals Sector-Alake

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Government has expressed commitment to eliminating leakages in the solid minerals sector, aiming for a 50% contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Dr Oladele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development,disclosed this during his familiarisation tour of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO),an agency of the Ministry.

He, emphasized the need to review fees, plug loopholes, and enhance revenue for poverty alleviation and economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He affirmed swift decisions to achieve revenue goals, considering the solid minerals sector as the next oil.

 He commended the Mining Cadastre Office for its contributions and urged staff to surpass government targets.

The Minister acknowledged the significance of the Nigeria Geophysical Survey Agency in national development.

During his visit to the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, Dr. Alake highlighted its critical role in ensuring quality control in the extractive industry. The Minister assured constant support to the agencies visited in addressing challenges.

According to him:” We will take firm decisions in record time, plug all leakages and loopholes to enhance revenue, reviewing of all fees paid by operators and businessmen  with alacrity, that will cut across all the Agencies of the Ministry”.

Speaking further on the pressing need for removing all leakages and loopholes impeding revenue growth,  Dr Alake asserted that the Ministry is posed to meet its target projection of  making the solid Minerals sector achieve it’s target of 50%  contribution to the gross domestic product of the country. The solid Minerals sector, he restated,  is the next oil.

Commending the enviable contribution of the Mining Cadastre Office in the overall achievements of the Ministry,  Dr Alake admonished it’s staff not only to brace up in maintaining the success achieved, but strive to achieve and surpass Federal Government’s target.

The Director General of the Mining Cadastre Office ( MCO), Engr. Simon Nkom briefed the Minister on its activities and programmes achievements and challenges; citing the need to upgrade it’s e-MCO+ to the new system for efficiency in administrative management of Cadastre applications.