The Federal Government has been urged to tame the worsening insecurity bedeviling the nation in order to boost mining.
National Chairman, Nigeria Institution of Metallurgical Mining and Materials Engineering, Engr Ayo Adeyemo made the call in Ilorin at the International Conference AGM and Exhibition.
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The event was themed: The Nigeria Mining Industry In Restrospect and the New Frontiers.
According to him, government must utilize the capacity within the country to develop industrially and technologically.
“Utilize the professionals in the various institutions that are affiliated with mining and technology. Ajaokuta can develop without foreigners”, he added.
He said so many things can be done to boost mining in the country.
“Is only in Nigeria you have a situation where the government will be telling you that they are encouraging foreign and local investors to come and invest without security.
“There is no where in the world that you have development where you have insecurity. The government should tame insecurit which is alarming and invest. You will see mining coming up.
“Government should also do more in our institutions. ASUU is preparing to go on strike again. How will students in the universities that have been thought mining and metrology benefit practically”.
In his remarks, the chairman Local Organising Committe, Engr. Aremu IsiaKa Na’alla said government should realise that apart from oil and gas, mining and value addition to solid minerals is the way forward.
“When Ajaokuta was established in the 80s, people resigned from Shell and other oil companies to seek employment there.
“This tells us that there are a lot of resources waiting untapped in metallurgy and material engineering in Nigeria”.