Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has said that his administration will explore Solid Mineral as an alternative to growing the State’s economy. This is despite the current security situation in the State. The governor made this know when he visited the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development on Thursday 13th July 2023.
The Governor was received by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Mary Ogba in her office at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.
Recall that shortly after he was declared winner of the March 18th 2023 Gubernatorial Elections, Governor Mutfwang paid a visit to the then Minister for Mines and Steel Development Olamilekan Adegbite on Thursday April 6th 2023 to fashion out favourable terms for mineral exploration and mining of abundant natural resources in Plateau as he prepare to hit the ground running on May 29, 2023.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere on Thursday 13th July 2023 about the visit Governor Mutfwang reiterated his resolution to explore the huge solid mineral deposits Plateau State is blessed with in order to grow the economy. He restated the commitment of his administration in collaboration with the Federal Government, to develop the solid mineral sector and reclaim the abandoned mining sites scattered across the state to make them useful for agriculture, recreation and tourism.
The Governor explained that modern techniques of mining exploration will be adopted in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines to generate revenue that will be beneficial to the people of Plateau State.
He informed critical stakeholders in the solid minerals sector of the intention of his administration to enter into mutually benefitting partnerships to explore minerals in the state for the greater development of the people.
“In the Nigerian Mining Corporation, there are some of the assets which were left untouched, especially in the NESCO, which is the first Hydro Electricity Generating Company which the mining Corporation had about 9 percent of the shares.
“Although the company is not doing well now and if we can enter into discussions under the Public Private Partnership, PPP, we will be able to bring together, all the shareholders to see what we can make out of it for the benefit of the state” he stated.
The Managing Director, Plateau Investments and Property Development Company, Hon. Danlami Jelka described the mining sector as one of the key drivers of the economy of the state under the present administration.
He noted that government is willing to work in collaboration with the Federal Government and the Impact Nigeria Alliance to make the mining sector more productive and habitable for citizens of the state.
Director, Mines Environmental Compliance, Dr Okono Vivian and Deputy Director Public Private Partnership, Salamatu Umar said Plateau has the highest abandoned mining sites that require reclamation.
According to them, a study conducted by the Ministry indicates that Plateau has over 700 of the 1,260 abandoned mining sites across the country and said Plateau has been enlisted among states to have such sites reclaimed this year.
Nigeria Star News 