The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on Monday called for strong partnership between private sector and the government to exploit maximum benefit available in the solid minerals sector across the country.
The solid mineral sector had been touted as the next cash vow that can positively transform Nigeria’s economy into self sustainability economy with the ability of solving multiple Issues of infrastructural development and job creation.
The Speaker made the call during the public policy dialogue on sold minerals event organized by the House of Representatives Committee on solid Minerals in Abuja.
Hon Abbas further used the occasion to praise the renewed vigour in exploring large scale exploitation in the Nigeria solid mineral sector across States of the federation.
The speaker, Hon Abbas who was represented by his deputy Hon. Benjamin Kalu explained that solid mineral sector if fully utilize is capacity of unlocking the economic potentials in the country.
The Speaker, however lamented illegality in the sector emphasizing that such process has led the country into insecurity, banditary, kidnapping among others.
Speaking in similar vein, the governor of Nasarawa state, His Excellency Abdulahi Sule says the country has over 40 mineral resources untapped in commercial quantity across the country which has the potentials of replacing crude oil as the country’s highest foreign exchange earner if well manage.
The Executive governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule in his address urged state governors to look inward to ensure active utilization of minerals sectors in their states.
The governor equally urged lawmakers to regulate on laws that can make the sector competitive and lucrative informing that under proper utilization, solid mineral could generate more revenue to the government across all levels than oil.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, House Of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon Gaza Gbefwi promised to present the proposed sold minerals bill before the house soon, expressing the hope on the bill ability to address challenges in the solid mineral sector.
Other stakeholders who spoke unilaterally urged government to make policies that could invite more investors into solid minerals sectors.
