The Nasarawa State Committee on Solid Minerals Development has advised mining companies operating in the state to follow due process in its operation.
The committee said this was in order to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and for the overall development of the state and the country at large.
Dr Kabiru Ibrahim, the Chairman of the committee, gave the advice on Monday when he led other members of the committee on assessment tour of Kenyang Mining company at Edegen-Mbeki in Udege Development Area of the state.
He said that the advise has become imperative considering the importance of mining to the socio-economic development of the society.
Ibrahim, who is the Emir of Azara, commended the state government for constituting the committee which was aimed at boosting the revenue base of the government.
He explained that the state government under the leadership of Gov. Abdullahi Sule is passionate about formalising the mining sector, hence the constitution of the committee.
“The committee is not out to witch hunt anyone but on a fact finding mission geared towards repositioning the mining sector in the state for the betterment of all.
“As we are all aware that the importance of mining to societal development could not be overemphasised.
“Apart from generating revenue to individuals and governments, it will also help in generating employment opportunities as well as improve the standard of living of the people.
“It is in view of this that we are advising mining companies operating in the state to follow due process in their operations in their interest and for the overall development of the state and the country at large” he said.
Ibrahim also urged mining companies operating in the state to fully cooperate with the state government in its quest to sanitise the system for the benefit of all and sundry.
He also stressed the need for critical stakeholders in the mining sector to fully support the industrialisation agenda of the state government.
The chairman assured of the committee’ readiness to tour mining sites across the state in order to have first hand information on mining activities for the overall development of the state.
In their remarks, the Deputy Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Council, Mr Umar Sani-Namama, and the overseer of Udege Development Area, Mr Salihu Adamu, thanked the state government for constituting the committee.
They duo expressed optimism that the committee work would help in sanitising the system.
The assessment tour took the committee to Kenyang Mining company in Edegen-Mbeki which mines columbite and Tin.
