Solid Minerals: the North has no business with poverty – Fayemi

By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Kaduna.
The Northern part of Nigeria has no reason to be poor as the region is richly endowed with varied mineral resources that would be a source of great revenue for the region and the nation in addition to agriculture, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said.
Speaking at the North West Town Hall Meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Fayemi said the break through in the local cement production and export is an example of what could be done in other solid minerals sector.
Fayemi said the lime being used for the cement production is all locally sourced and Nigeria is now self sufficiency in cement and doing mass export of the products.
The Federal Government would focus on industrial mineral development he added, reiterating that the FG is developing a road map for the quantity, quality and commercial endowment of mining and mineral resources, enhance the geo science in the sector, develop intervention fund for licensed miners which is currently lacking in Nigeria.
He said his Ministry is organising the mining sector to get the best and highest result for Nigerians. More than five million Nigerians are involved in artisan mining he revealed. The artisans would be formalised into co-operatives and empowered he assured.
The Minister said President Muhammadu Buhari has highlighted the importance of the mining sector to Nigeria.
Fayemi said the country now earns 0.5 per cent of GDP from the mining sector as against what was obtained up till the 1950s. The current administration is resilient and committed to the mining sector.