The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to diversify the economy, increase revenue base and improve the welfare of Nigerians through the mining sector.
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Dr Ogah stated this during his tour of the Dangote Cement Plant at Obajana, Kogi State, recently.
He said the purpose of the tour was to find more ways of collaborating with the Dangote Group with a view to building capacity that would enable them to create jobs and employ more Nigerians, and that the employment opportunities provided by the Dangote Group were in line with the present administration’s bid to create about 100 million jobs to lift Nigerians out of poverty.
In a statement, the minister noted that the ministry was working on incentives that would encourage investors to invest in the sector, while measures would be put in place against illegal mining.
He further said the ministry was set to ensure that the president’s bid to use the sector as a key for diversification of the economy was achieved.
Speaking earlier, Mr Devakumar Edwin, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects and Portfolio Development of Dangote Industries Ltd, noted that it was the first time a minister from the ministry would visit the plant.
Mr Edwin said the new development of senior government officials visiting manufacturing plants and mining sites was very healthy for the sector, noting that the knowledge that the supervising ministry could come to monitor their operations would encourage them to adhere to mining rules and regulations.
He disclosed that as the largest cement plant in Africa, which sourced most of its raw materials from the country, the Dangote Group ensured it maintained full compliance with the Federal Government’s mining rules.
He, however, expressed gratitude for the visit and ensured the company’s continuous adherence to laid down procedures.
