Gov Sani-Bello seeks global investment in mineral sector

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello  has opened discussion with global players in the Mineral resources value-chain in the areas of financing, equipment and new technology.

A statement by Jibrin Baba Ndace, his Chief Press Secretary, said that Governor Sani Bello is using the Dubai Mining Conference and Exhibition holding at the Dubai World Trade Centre to engage with global  industry players and experts.

 The Governor  who said he led the state team to the event in order to personally engaged with the right partners, noted that mineral resources value-chain was a highly technical area that require interface with key global players.

“Our commitment to diversifying the state economy requires partnership on a global scale.  We are taking advantage of Dubai Mining  Conference and exhibition  to meet and open discussion with various players in the industry. We need to engage the right partners that have technical know-how, industry knowledge and global reach.

“We have  also listened  to various presentations by other countries and industry experts on shared experiences, learnt lessons, best practices , emerging trends, legislative frameworks, occupational safety  and environmental concerns.”

 Governor Sani Bello who said developing the mineral resources value-chain requires commitment and painstaking efforts, disclosed that the administration was determined to deploy  short, medium and long term strategy in the area.

“We are determined to engage with industry players differently. We are committed to deploy new strategies in maximizing huge potentials available in the state. We are mindful of environmental and safety concerns  prevalent in the sector.”

Governor Sani Bello, who reiterated his commitment to developing the sector through collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, revealed that Niger state was open and safe for investors.

“Within the last two years of this administration in the state, we have taken bold steps to reposition the sector. We have established a new ministry of mineral resources specifically to focus on maximizing the state’s potentials in the area.”

The Dubai Conference and Exhibition, which included presentations on news trends, emerging technologies and opportunities, is the largest Mining and Quarrying conference and Expo for the Middle East, Africa, Central Africa and South Asia and ‘ an excellent forum for networking and industrial collaboration’.

 On the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello team  were Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ahmed Marafa Guni, Chairman, House Committee on Investment, Hon. Umar Mohammed Nurudeen, Chief of Staff, Hon. Mikhail Al-Amin Bmitosahi, Commissioner of Finance, Hon Ibrahim Balarabe and Commissioner of Mineral Resources, Hon. Mudi Mohammed.

 Others include Managing Director Zuma Mining Company, Ismaila Ibrahim, Director Mining, Ministry of Mineral Resources, Adamu Garba and  President, Miners Association Niger State, Obed Kango.