The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has affirmed the resolve of the federal government to foreclose the acquisition of mining licences by prospective investors without requisite plans for local value addition.
Speaking while playing host to members of the House Committee on Solid Minerals on an oversight visit to the ministry, Mr Alake applauded the lawmakers for their support in repositioning the mining sector, stressing that changing the economic fortunes of Nigeria is a joint task by both the executive and legislature.
He also seized the occasion to assure the legislators of the significant contribution of sub-nationals to mining development, stressing that state chairpersons of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) and five committee members are nominated by state governments.
“The importance of this committee cannot be overstated because whether we like it or not, we are at the cusp of history, and it does beckon on us individually and collectively, whether as executive or legislature, to change the paradigm of Nigeria’s economic fortunes because we have to diversify our economy away from the mono-cultural dependency on oil. Again, that underscores the significance of this committee because of the importance of the ministry in that regard. That is why I view your visit here today with a sense of proprietary responsibility and appreciation of the oversight functions that you are saddled with.
“We welcome you and believe that from the type of comradeship that I have personally enjoyed with the committee and the leadership, I have no doubt in my mind that what the executive of this ministry needs to forge ahead to achieve its stated objectives in terms of logistics support, legislative framework crafting is assured. It gives me great confidence that when you have members of a committee that understand the issues at stake, understand the problems that the ministry faces and knows how to give the necessary backup. We, in the executive, will have no excuse for failure. We can only forge ahead,” the minister said.
Highlighting the renewed interest of the international community in Nigeria’s mineral resources, Mr Alake stressed that his 7-point agenda has put the mining sector on the global front burner since he assumed office.
“With the support of the Permanent Secretary, management and the House committee, we have been able to project the sector globally, and the result of our efforts culminated in my election as the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia based on our 7-point agenda which was applauded by all and sundry. This group comprises all African countries’ Ministers of Solid Minerals/Mineral Resources”.
Speaking further, the minister revealed that with the pact that led to the formation of the AMSG, there is now unity of purpose on the African continent on the issue of local value addition.”
We are no longer going to allow anybody or license any company that wants to go into the mineral sector without giving us a plan for local value addition like processing refining, which has a multiplier effect on the economy. It instantly generates employment rather than a few people carting away lithium, gold, and the like to other countries to sell. These minerals must now be processed in Nigeria, creating more value and beneficiation for local communities where they are sourced, “Mr Alake added.
On security, the minister revealed that the Federal Government has finalised a new security outfit to secure the nation’s natural resources that will incorporate the existing structure of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with the infusion of technology and specialised training.
“We have come up with what we believe can stem insecurity around natural resources like solid minerals, forests, and marine economy. We decided to use the existing structure of the NSCDC because of the cumbersome process of establishing a new security architecture. In terms of deterrence, the new NSCDC corps will be useful, “he asserted.
According to the minister, there will be a command in every state of the country and will involve the infusion of a massive dose of technology, noting that modern-day security architecture is predicated mostly on technology rather than reliance on only boots on the ground.
“What a whole battalion can do, one single drone can do it so that the new security outfit will be largely technologically driven, and they will be under the overall command of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD). They are to secure our mine sites help in stemming theft, illegal mining, and carting away of our solid minerals. The command structure of the new outfit will be inaugurated in the coming days,” the minister affirmed.
