As part of the efforts of the present administration to re-position the minerals and metals sector, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Architect Musa Mohammed Sada would formally present the developed- Road Map that will chart the path for the resolution of the problems and challenges facing the sector.
The development of the road map for the solid minerals and metals sector is to take full advantage of the rising international and local commodity prices and the global resurgence of exploitation activities with attendant huge investment in the sector.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Press (DDP) , Marshal Gundu and made available to LEADRSHIP yesterday, it said that the Ministry recognises the need for a roadmap that would chart the way for the country to attain its economic, social and environmental objectives through sustainable exploration and exploitation of the nation’s vast mineral endowment.
It added that the Ministry has been a major stimulus to the Nigerian mining industry and several factors are currently in place to stimulate the sector including improved geological information on the diverse metallic and non-metallic mineral potentials, favourable policy framework for international and local investors and the new national solid minerals policy that offers a competitive environment for solid minerals development.
The Ministry’s departments and agencies will be responsible for implementing the Road Map which is aimed at addressing the nation’s minerals and metals sector in a holistic manner using the value chain approach.
The road map focuses on the exploration, development, exploitation and marketing of the mineral resources of the country and shall be in tandem with the prevailing Government Policy which makes the private sector the owner and operator of solid minerals and metals projects with government facilitating and providing necessary enabling environment for the development of the solid minerals and metals sector.
It further revealed that the Ministry will among other things evolve an efficient responsive and effective sector specific policy framework and facilitate the creation of a conducive macroeconomic environment and initiate policies that would improve the infrastructural support facilities in the mineral bearing areas.
The implementation of the road map for the development of Nigeria’s minerals and metals sector would among many other things contribute at least 10 per cent to the nation’s GDP by 2020, create about three million direct and indirect jobs by 2015 and produce needed raw material for the manufacturing sector and the construction industry.