Improve revenue generation, create jobs through mining, FG tells states

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

As part of efforts of the Federal government to diversify the nations economy, state governments have been called upon to explore the advantage of solid minerals in thier domains to Improve revenue and create job for their jobless citizens.

The call was made by the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, who gave the advice during his visit to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on the Optimization of Revenue Generation.

The minister urged the state governments to support the programmes of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).

In a statement made available to nation update through Tine-Iulun M.A, on behalf of Director, Press and Public Relations Unit of the ministry on Saturday, the Minister said such support would aid it in enhancing revenue generation from mining operations.

Ortom

Welcoming his guest, Governor Ortom said the government would readily take advantage of any opportunity to create jobs and put smiles on the faces of his people.

He expressed the state’s willingness to support and adopt the Federal Government’s policies that would bring revenue growth and development to the state.

Ortom commended the ministry for its prompt response to the plight of people in communities where Mining activities have affected water supply.

The Federal Mines officer, Engineer Agamah Simon Ogwuj, earlier in his welcome address, confirmed the abundance of mineral resources, especially barite in the state, as every Local Government Area of the state has at least one mineral resource.

Ogwuj disclosed that only a few companies were actively involved in the mining of coal in the state, as some companies had shut down due to the activities of bandits.

The Chairman, MIREMCO, Benue State, Engineer Samuel Tar Iyornumbe, disclosed that the Committee’s intervention had led to the repositioning of miners in the state to operate according to mining regulations.

Iyornumbe expressed joy that the committee had successfully resolved the local governments and barite Miners conflict in the state.