Mining, agric key drivers of economy – Minister

The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, has said the mining and agriculture sectors remain key drivers of current economic diversification initiatives.

Ogah was speaking at a joint Technical Committee Meeting between the ministry and the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), on funding for solid mineral resources, in Abuja yesterday.

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“It is imperative for Nigeria to unlock the potentials and the significant mineral endowment for beneficial results which will create jobs, generate revenue, reduce poverty as well as ensure industrialisation and economic diversification,” he said.

Ogah noted that a joint committee had existed between the Ministry and RMAFC to serve as a veritable platform for collaboration to enable it realise its funding demands for the sustainable development of the mining sector.

Chairman of the Solid Minerals Monitoring Committee is Mal. Aliyu Abdulkadir and the Director General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) Engr. Abdulrazaq Garba serves as Co-chair.