Ministry seeks Bauchi state collaboration to harness mining gains

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in its bid to ensure the sector achieve its mandate of driving economic diversification is seeking deeper partnership with Bauchi state for efficient and effective mining in Nigeria.

The Minister of State Mines and Steel Development Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed recently.

The Minister said the visit was to sensitize the state on numerous advantages it stands to derive if operators abide by mining guidelines and pay the royalties to the federal government.

He said that the more revenue generated by states, determines the accruals it would receive from the Federation Account Allocation Committee.

Ogah sought the State government’s collaboration in carrying out adequate enlightenment and sensitization campaign, to prevent illegal operation of local and foreign miners who pine away the State’s wealth.

He urged the state to ensure improved communication and information sharing with the Ministry as well as joint security surveillance against banditry.

He assured the governor of the Ministry’s continuous support to ensure increased mining operations in the state.

Governor of Bauchi State Sen. Bala Mohammed emphasized the state’s abundant endowment of mineral resources, which if properly harnessed could sustain the country.

He further expressed willingness to partner with the Ministry to expand mining activities in state, to increase revenue generation for the benefit of Bauchi people, and recalled that the first mining site in the country was located in Bauchi state, and therefore, should be the leading state in mining.

The overnor emphasised the importance of community engagement that would aid in avoiding disputes between communities and investors which will in turn create an enabling environment for genuine investors.

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