Women miners laud FG over repositioning of sector

Women miners laud FG over repositioning of sector

Minning

By Martha Agas

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) An association, Women In Mining In Nigeria (WIMIN), has lauded the efforts of President Bola Tinubu`s administration for its policies and initiatives aimed at repositioning the mining sector.

The National President of WIMIN, Dr Janet Adeyemi, made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abuja.

Adeyemi commended the efforts of the administration, particularly in facilitating the ease of doing business within its first year in the solid sector, through its policies and incentives.

“I believe that he has created more robust environment, encouraging people to come into the sectors through his declarations and pronouncements on the sector.

“You can see the President going round from country to country and then receiving visitors, and the issue that tops his agenda in most of these discussions are things to do with solid mineral development.

“The mere fact that they are committed, talking about it, and thinking to engage the public, is an indication that the government is serious on promoting the mining sector,” she said.

She said that for Nigeria to diversify its economy, it must take advantage of the abundant solid mineral resources it possessed in commercial quantities across its states, to develop its local economy.

She, however, said that even though Nigeria possessed the critical minerals needed for the global energy transition, it must have a record of proven reserves certified by a competent person or company,

She said that the move would help Nigeria access funds for its development and also attract big players to invest in the sector, boosting the country`s Gross Domestic Product.

“We keep on talking that Nigeria has the largest deposit of Bitumen, Nigeria has so many diverse minerals, but there is something in mining, you must have a proven reserve by a competent person,” she said.

According to the president, certified mining reports, in addition to attracting investors to the sector, will ensure Nigeria benefits from such partnerships, especially through value addition to its minerals.

She said that for Nigeria to reap from the solid minerals sector, it must enrich its sustainable development policies with community engagement tools, such as stakeholder mapping, social impact assessment, and community development programmes.

She added that with policies on benefit-sharing mechanisms, capacity building, partnerships with NGOs and traditional institutions, as well as collaboration between government and mining companies, Nigeria would be able to accomplish a great deal.

She lauded the efforts of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake; in ensuring the sector was gender friendly.

She acknowledged his recent support in the inauguration of the Genders Strategy for mining and steel sectors, which was a demonstration of his resolve to implement an inclusive approach for ensuring sustainable development in the sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

MAA/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru