Kaduna – The Minster of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, says state governments’ participation in developing the mining sector is crucial in achieving economic diversification and revenue generation of the current administration.
Fayemi stated this on Thursday during a plenary session on Drivers of Growth and Sustainable Development, at a two-day Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit in Kaduna.
According to him, the vision of the current administration in developing the solid mineral sector is to diversify the economy, create jobs and improve revenue generation.
He said that mining, which remained in the exclusive list, could only become viable with full participation of state governments as critical stakeholders.
“Not much would be archived if states are not carried along in exploiting the mining sector.
‘’This is because investors must work with owners of the land i.e the state governments.
“We have recognised the importance of working with the states in the sector, not to compete, but to partner with a view to achieving the desired result,” he said.
He urged the state governments to take ownership of solid mineral investment in their domain to tap the full potential of the sector.
Fayemi said that the Federal Government would look into processing in the sector with a view to improve export of minerals in the country. (NAN)