Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development says Federal Government will continue to support the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) with policies to enable it operate effectively.
Adegbite said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 9th induction and public presentation of instrument of office to 563 professionals and corporate bodies.
According to him, the extractive sector is critical to creating wealth, jobs and prosperity for Nigerians, as not much can be achieved without its professionals.
The minister said that though the ministry was willing to support and provide enabling environment for members of the council to operate effectively, they should also work to move it forward.
“The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development under its present management will continue to support the council with policies and guidance and of course all possible assistance to ensure that it lived up to its mandate.
“While the ministry will provide the enabling environment, it behooves on us as professionals to make sure that we represent COMEG very well,’’ the minister said.
He charged the inductees to ensure they paid their dues as and when due, adding that plans were ongoing to ensure that the council got a substantive registrar that would make its operations more effective.
Adegbite said the ministry would also support the council to get a befitting office accommodation, stressing that its present office location, “is an embarrassment to all professionals.’’
The minister congratulated the inductees for coming on board and charged the council to ensure that seniority was maintained according to the council’s register.
This, he said was necessary, adding that the council’s last induction was held five years ago, and it would be injustice if members who became qualified five years ago were not given their proper place.
He charged the inductees to participate in the council’s activities to bring it up to standard.
“Most importantly, I will like professionals in this industry to contribute their quota so that we can take mining to its proper place in the country`s economy,’’ the minister said.
He appealed to stakeholders to collaborate with COMEG and the extractive industry in order to move the sector forward.
Earlier, Dr Godspower Ebimotimi, COMEG Chairman said the council scrutinised and evaluated all applicants for registration, adding that the inductees were those that met the minimum required criteria.
He said the council had 2,188 registered professionals and 84 corporate members at its inception.
Ebimotimi added that with additional 563 professionals and 86 cooperate members, it brings to 2, 751 the total extractive industry professionals and 166 corporate organisations on the COMEG register.
“Efforts will continue toward enhancing the registration of more professionals and companies to ensure that quackery in the extractive sector is reduced to the barest minimum and eventually eliminated in the country,’’ he said.
He, however, added that in view of the renewed interest and support of the present administration in the extractive sector, it would not be business as usual.
This, the council chairman said, was especially so if the country must reap the benefits derivable from the sector.
He appreciated the minister for his support so far since he assumed office, noting that the council had suffered neglect in the past, adding that it was high time it got repositioned for efficient service delivery.
Prof. Shedrack Jatau in his keynote address at the event, entitled: “The Journey So Far; Industry`s Perception’’ said the collective responsibility of stakeholders in the extractive industry was necessary to move COMEG forward.
He listed increasing office rent, inadequate funding, and manpower development as some of the council`s challenges.
Shedrack commended the minister of Mines and Steel Development for his passion to make COMEG work again and for his efforts at ensuring that Ajaokuta Steel Company was revived.
Agencies in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and other professional bodies were represented at the event
