FG to partner Lagos on solid minerals development; Banks to set up solid minerals desks- says Minister ; Italian ambassador visits

The Federal Government has stated that it is prepared to partner with Lagos state government in the area of geological data and geo-chemical investigation in order to realise the state’s aspirations on solid minerals development and safe environment.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, stated this when the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Natural resources, Mr Olawale Oluwo, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Aside assisting the state with geological data to determine the quantity and quality of its minerals deposits, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, according to Fayemi, is also prepared to assist in the area of environmental impact arising from mining activities.

Fayemi said that there is no way the country can succeed in the plan to diversify the economy through solid minerals if there is no partnership and collaboration between the Federal Government and the states.

The minister noted that while solid minerals exploitation is exclusive to the federal government, land ownership, in reality, is exclusive to State governments.

“For this reason, there is need to work out the most appropriate arrangement where mutual benefits will be guaranteed to those involved as well as protection of the communities,” Fayemi said.

The minister also alerted the Lagos state government to the indiscriminate dredging going on in many parts of the state, with its attendant environmental hazards and developmental challenge.

“People just dredge in Lagos and its environs without any attention being paid to what the Mining and Mineral Act says. Lagos may pay attention to what taxes they want from those who are dredging, but I am not sure you are paying enough attention to what the mining and mineral act says as far as dredging is concerned.

“We will want to work with you and our own inland water ways and government institutions to address the issue. We need to work together to see how best to address it because it affects the environment,” Fayemi added..

Earlier, the Commissioner had disclosed that the state had a huge deposit of minerals like limestone, silica sand and clay in the eastern part of Lagos State.
Oluwo also said that the preliminary reports of geological assessment conducted revealed salt water intrusion of clean water mixed with salt. This, he said is seen as a major health challenge to the population.

He said the geo-chemical investigation of top soil and road dust showed traces of heavy metal which can be very hazardous if not checked. He also said that the most significant one is on reconnaissance investigation which revealed traces of radioactive materials within Lagos axis.

“These are the areas we also require collaboration with the federal authorities”, Oluwo said

Fayemi, in response said the Ministry will be interested in the specific details of the geo-chemical assessment carried out by the state in order to share with the relevant agencies in the bid to assist Lagos to ensure the protection of lives and properties of its citizens.

Dr. Fayemi said the findings and availability of industrious minerals in Lagos state such as limestone, silica and clay can assist the ministry to achieve import substitution if put to good use, using cement exportation as an indication of almost self-sufficiency in limestone exploitation.

He said silica and clay are yet to be put to proper use as these are important minerals useful in the pharmaceutical sector. He promised that the relevant agencies will verify the quantity of the mineral deposits in response to the State’s request and the overall interest of the country.

In another development, Dr. Kayode said that many Nigerian banks would set up their solid minerals desks before the end of the year.

This, according to the minister, is in response to the plans of the federal government to diversify the economy through solid minerals development.

Fayemi disclosed this when the council members of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), led by its President, Prof Gbenga Okunlola, paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Monday .

He said he got the assurances of the banks chief executives on the setting up of solid minerals desks during a recent meeting with them.

The minister said that the banks’ solid minerals desks, when set up, would greatly assist the sector as investors would have access to funds and professional counseling.

The minister, who urged the NMGS leadership to avail the sector with expert and objective analysis of issues, said his ministry would work with them to move the sector forward.

“It is no longer business as usual. We will implement the Nigerian Mining and Minerals Act (2007) to the letter”, he said, while urging the NMGS members to help in the strengthening of institutions and capacity building.

Earlier, Prof Okunlola had pledged the support of the NMGS towards the efforts of the ministry to realise President Muhammadu Buhari’s plan to diversify the economy and create jobs through solid minerals.

The council members also congratulated the minister on his appointment, adding that they are convinced that he would bring the desired turn around to the sector based on his antecedents as a public servant with a knack for development.

They also applauded the planned setting up of solid minerals desks in banks, just as they advocated the injection of more professionals into the technical agencies within the sector.

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