Photo: Gov Mutfwang with officials of the ministry
Gov Mutfwang harps on solid minerals sector to bolster Plateau economy
Plateau State Gov Caleb Mutfwang has said that he would leverage the huge solid mineral deposits the state is blessed with in order to grow its economy.
The Governor made this known when he visited the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogba in her office in Abuja.
According to him, his administration would collaborate with the Federal Government, to develop the solid minerals sector by reclaiming the abandoned mining sites scattered across the state to make them useful for agriculture, recreation and tourism.
Mutfwang explained that modern techniques of mining exploration would be adopted in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines to generate revenue that would be beneficial to the people of Plateau State.
The Governor urged critical stakeholders in the solid minerals sector to enter into mutually benefitting partnerships to explore minerals in the state for the greater development of the people.
He said, “In the Nigerian Mining Corporation, there are some of the assets which were left untouched, especially in the NESCO, which is the first Hydro Electricity Generating Company which the mining Corporation had about 9 percent of the shares.
“Although the company is not doing well now, if we can enter into discussions under the Public Private Partnership, PPP, we will be able to bring together, all the shareholders to see what we can make out of it for the benefit of the state.”
Speaking, the Managing Director, Plateau Investments and Property Development Company, Hon. Danlami Jelka described the mining sector as one of the key drivers of the economy of the state under the present administration.
He noted that government was willing to work in collaboration with the Federal Government and the Impact Nigeria Alliance to make the mining sector more productive and habitable for citizens of the state.
Also, the Director, Mines Environmental Compliance, Dr Okono Vivian and Deputy Director Public Private Partnership, Salamatu Umar, said Plateau has the highest number of abandoned mining sites that require reclamation.
According to them, a study conducted by the Ministry indicated that Plateau State has over 700 of the 1,260 abandoned mining sites across the country, adding that the state has been enlisted among states to have such sites reclaimed this year.
