(Sundiata Post) Prof. Akinlade Olatunji, National President, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), has urged state governments to partner with the Federal Government, to boost the mining sector and shore up revenue generation.
Olatunji gave the advice on Thursday in Jos, at a news conference to herald the NMGS 253 Council Meeting slated for Saturday.
The NMGS national president stated that rather than rivalry and competition, states and the Federal Government needed to work together and complement each other for enhanced results.
He said that though mining was on the exclusive list, the states had the power to monitor mining activities and ensure that companies conducted their businesses in strict compliance with the law.
“There are also provisions through which the state can actively participate in the mineral sector.
“What we are encouraging states to do is look at that law and engage the professionals in their states to use the provisions of the law to maximise their participation in the sector.
“The more the sector thrives, the more money will come to the state through the percentage that is statutorily theirs.
“However, states have not been given the power to ban mining under whatever guise,” he stated.
Olatunji commended the current administration over its passion to harness the sector that contributed significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), before the discovery of oil.
The national president pointed out that the creation of the Solid Minerals Development Ministry, and the Ministry of Steel Development out of the then Ministry of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, was the right step in the right direction.
According to him, the separation shows the enthusiasm of the current government for the sector.
Olatunji stated that the vision of NMGS was to sensitise and create the much-needed awareness among states in the country about the availability of natural resources.
“It also sensitises them to the need to fully address and develop the abundant resources in Nigeria in a sustainable manner for national development.
“We, as a society, also have statutory representation in some government agencies.
“One of such is the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, which is the regulatory body of mining engineering and geosciences practices in Nigeria.
“We are also represented on the board of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, a Federal Government parastatal that is involved in collecting and archiving all geological information nationwide,” he added. (NAN)
- Latest
- Trending
