Dutse – The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) on Wednesday said solid minerals has potential to create three million jobs by the year 2017.
The National President of NACCIMA, Dr Bassey Edem, made this known at the 56th Annual Conference of the Chambers in Dutse.
Edem explained that with the statistics available, the sector could generate both direct and indirect three million jobs in the country if adequately harnessed.
He said that “as at 2014, the contribution of the solid mineral sector to Nigerian economy was only one per cent and there was the tendency that it would
increase to five per cent in 2017 and may increase to 10 per cent by year 2020.”
The chamber boss advised that a national policy on solid minerals should be developed to clearly prescribe the pattern of development, with the roles of different sectors stated.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had identified seven strategic solid minerals to be prioritised and promoted for private participation and listed them as gold, coal, bitumen, limestone, iron ore, lead and barytes. (NAN)
