...Ministry Hosts Delegation from Ghana College of Defence Studies

The Federal Government has restated it's firm resolve to diversify the economy through an efficient, effective exploration and exploitation of it's solid mineral resources to achieve rapid socio-ecocomic growth.

Receiving an 18-member delegation from Ghana College of Defence Studies led by Brigadier-General Fred Ntiri, on behalf of 
 the Permanent  Secretary; Mr Yunnusa Muhammed  Director, Artisanal & Small Scale Mining Department informed the visitors  that in realization  of a plummeting  revenue from a monolithic Nigerian  economy, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration deemed it imperative to diversify the economy in line with its renewed hope agenda.

 This, according to him, is aimed at  increasing revenue to government coffers and as well enhance the gross domestic product of the country through the solid  mineral sector.

The Director said:'' Nigeria operates a monolithic economy since late 1950s. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deemed it necessary to diversify the economy. Solid Minerals sector is now being accorded high priority to achieve rapid socio-economic development and prosperity for the benefit of Nigerians".

Continuing, he expressed strong optimism that the interactive forum  between the management of Nigeria's Ministry of  Solid Minerals Development and Ghana College of Defence Studies led by Brig- General Ntiri, emanating from the presentation by Dr. Vivian Okono, Director Mining Environmental Compliance Department will expand their frontiers of knowledge.

Speaking about international best practices on Mining, Mr Muhammed asserted that Nigeria stands to gain from Ghana's enormously rich experience spanning several decades most especially in Artisanal Small Mining.

In  his remarks, the Leader of delegation, Brigadier-General Fred Ntiri stated that their visit to the Ministry was part of a deliberate initiative to achieve experiential knowledge of Nigeria's Solid Minerals sector aside their  classroom environment. The theme of their study visit was '' Environment, Security & Development''.  He affirmed that the overall mandate of the Ghana College of Defence Studies  is woven around deploying strategies that would enhance the living standards of Ghanaians.

In her lead presentation, the Director Mines Environmental Compliance Department, Dr Vivian Okono enlightened the visitors on structure of the ministry, regulatory framework, functions of departments/agencies/institutions, and lastly, opportunities and government initiatives.

Furthermore , it is pertinent to state that the interactive session generated by Dr Okono's presentation enriched the visitors horizon with gainful insights into Ministry's  policies  initiatives and measures aimed at  sanitizing the solid minerals sector of the economy. The Director Mines Inspectorate Department Engr Imam Ganiyu and other management staff graced the meeting with useful contributions.