The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has joined forces with the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to harness the significant mining potential within the North Central region, with a specific focus on increasing employment opportunities through advanced mineral processing.
During a meeting with the management team of the NCDC, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, announced that over 300 small-scale and artisanal miners have been organised into cooperatives. This initiative is part of broader efforts to discourage illegal mining activities and channel these miners into the formal economy.
Mr. Alake also reported that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has apprehended more than 300 individuals involved in illegal mining, with approximately 150, including foreign nationals, currently facing prosecution.
He further highlighted that the North Central region has seen substantial benefits from the ministry's local value addition policy, leading to the launch of new mineral processing projects in the area.
The minister stated that, due to the value addition policy, the mining sector is now contributing over $2 billion to the national economy, as the current administration prioritizes the development of the country's regenerative economic sectors.
This policy is designed to encourage the processing and beneficiation of mineral resources within Nigeria. The aim is to reduce the export of raw materials, foster industrial expansion, generate employment, and promote overall economic diversification.
He assured that the president is committed to establishing lasting legacies, and the commission itself is envisioned as one such enduring institution.
Minister Alake also emphasised the importance of a strong collaborative relationship between the ministry and other development commissions, underscoring the pivotal role of the solid minerals sector in driving wider economic progress.
He pledged the ministry's full support to the commission in fulfilling its mandate. He urged the NCDC leadership to prioritise strategic partnerships, transparency, and efficient project execution to maximise their positive impact across the North Central region.
"You have a very critical role to play and note that you are not doing it for the president or the government. You’re doing it for the Nigerian nation. And your own names would also be etched in the sands of time, that when you were there, when you had the opportunity, you made your own contributions.
"This is my own guiding philosophy and your conscience will be clear and you can go to bed in peace. You don’t have to make material acquisition your main focus because materialism is transient, a flash in the pan," the minister advised.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, explained that the purpose of the visit was to explore avenues for collaboration between the two government bodies.
Dr. Tsenyil noted that such partnerships are crucial for aligning their objectives, pooling resources, and advancing sustainable development initiatives throughout the North Central region.
Highlighting the region's abundant mineral resources, the MD proposed the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to spearhead development within the sub-sector.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment from both institutions to form a technical working committee to drive progress forward.
The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) is a federal agency established by law to foster development in Nigeria's North Central zone.
Its enabling legislation is the North Central Development Commission (Establishment) Act of 2024, enacted under President Bola Tinubu.
The commission's operational focus is the North Central geopolitical zone, which comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau states, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).
The NCDC was created to address the development disparities in the region, similar to the roles played by agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in their respective areas.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!