The Federal Government has commended the Nasarawa State Government for its sustained cooperation and partnership with Abuja in the development of the State’s solid minerals sector.
Mr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, who gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Sule yesterday (Friday, August 30), in Lafia, the State capital, said the federal government is appreciative of the enormous contributions of the Nasarawa State government to the sector.
Represented by Obadiah Nkom, Director-General, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Alake notedthat the administration of Gov. Sule has created a business-friendly environment, which has caused investments in solid minerals and other businesses to thrive.
“You will agree with me that his excellency’s contributions and achievements being recorded in the renewed hope agenda in the minerals sector can never be overemphasized.
“I must add here that we have had seamless coordination and cooperation from you,” he said.
The minister cited the inauguration of two lithium processing companies in the state as a manifestation of the state government’s commitment to the development of the solid mineral sector.
He commended the governor’s proactiveness in managing security issues while acknowledging that wherever mineral resources are found, it is always accompanied by chaos and insecurity.
“We are happy that Nasarawa state has not been turned into a war zone because of your careful and proactiveness in managing the situation.
“And that’s why continually, you never relented in coming to the ministry in relating to all stakeholders to develop the sector and ensure there is peace,” he said.
On the lingering issue over a mining area in Nasarawa Local Government Area between two companies and the state government, the minister said that he approved the allocation of 3.5 Cadastre Unit (about 70.8 hectres ) to be shared appropriately among the parties.
He said that the approval was based on the recommendation of a committee set up to resolve the lingering conflict over the area.
Alake used the meeting to thank Gov Sule for his approval to host the National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development in the state in November.
Responding, Gov. Sule thanked the minister for bringing reforms to the mining sector and robust partnership with the various states toward developing the sector.
He appreciated the minister for the approval of the 3.5 CU as part of efforts to resolve the mining area dispute in Nasarawa LGA.
“For the resolution of that 3.5 CU, I want to thank you sincerely for allocating that, you brought in so much to Nasarawa State,” he said.
Sule noted that out of the 3.5 CU of the mining area approved by the minister, Nasarawa State got 1.5 CU.
He promised that his administration would allocate 1/3 of whatever royalties accrual from the 1.5 CU to the communities.
“We are going to be transparent with the community, 1/3 of 1. 5 CU allocated to the state will be given to the community, and the stakeholders will decide exactly the needs of the community, either school or clinic,” he said. (NAN)
