The federal government has reiterated its commitment to diversifying the economy away from oil through the mines and steel sector.
The Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah in a statement issued said the government was poised to diversify the economy, increase revenue base and improve the welfare of Nigerians through the Mining sector.
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 create jobs and employ more Nigerians; saying that the employment opportunities provided by the Dangote Group is in line with the present administration’s bid to create about 100 million jobs to lift Nigerians out of poverty.
The Hon. 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 said the ministry was set to ensure that the President’s bid to use the sector as a key for diversification of the economy is achieved.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects and Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Ltd, noted that it was the first time a Minister from the ministry would visit the plant.
He said that the new development of senior government officials’ visit to 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 in their operations.
Mr Devakumar disclosed that as the largest Cement Plant in Africa, which sources most of the raw materials for production from the country, the Dangote Group Ltd ensures it maintains full compliance to federal government’s mining rules. He expressed gratitude for the visit and assured of continuous adherence to laid down procedures.
