From Abubakar Abdullahi, in Lafia
The Federal Ministry of Mining and Mineral Resources has resolved the lingering dispute between mining companies Lidel, Gafen mining industries and Nasarawa state government over activities in one of the mining sites in Nasarawa Local Government area of the state.
Minister, mining and mineral resources, Dele Alake while presenting the letter of acceptance of 3.5CU for the parties involved in the dispute to the Nasarawa state Governor, Abdullahi Sule in Lafia said the letter was based on the recommendation of the committee set up by the state government.
Represented by the Director General, Cadastre office Abuja Obadiah Nkom, he said the decision of the ministry to divide the area was to ensure that parties operate within a particular allocated area.
He said “based on the committee and concern about making sure the mining sector develop by the competent people there is the need for all inclusiveness for the benefit for the community and the state at large.”
The minister explained that “after receiving the report and findings on the agreement between parties, federal government approved the contracersial area of 3.5CU to be divided appropriately.”
He expressed the federal government hope that the agreement between the parties on the disputed which led to the federal government action would make an end to the agreement.
In another development, the ministry has chosen nasarawa state to host the 6th council of mining and mineral resources development meeting in September this year.
The mining and mineral resources minister Alake who made this known said the meeting as approved by the federal executive council is the roadmap for the growth of mining industry development which is designed to achieve stakeholders engagement, substantial increase in mining and mineral sectors contributions to the global GDP by creating a globally competitive sector capable of jobs and offering shares competitive to all all stakeholders in the entire mining value chain.
He said the meeting would be structured into technical and executive for participation of permanent secretaries and for the minister, commissioners and Governors.
The minister acknowledged the achievements recorded by the state in the renewed hope agenda in the mineral sector which was demonstrated at the groundbreaking event of Lithium Processing Industry in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state the largest in the world of lithium processing factories.
He said with the achievements, “no wonder the state assumed as investing heaven for mineral and other businesses to thrive as a result of business enabling climate the present administration created from it’s policy and programs.”
According to him is evident that the state is joining the league of 4 States earning above a billion naira in the the federal government accruing from solid mineral royalties.
On his part, Governor Abdullahi Sule while appreciating the mining ministry for the decision that lead to the presentation of letter on 3.5CU area of mining in nasarawa LG, promising that 1.5CU area given to the state would immediately go into production because a partnership agreement signed with one of the companies which is going to pay sign bonus to the state.
Governor Sule said one third of the bonus would be given to the Local Government to carry out any beneficial projects of it’s choice.
On the 6th national council of mining and mineral resources development meeting in the state, Governor Sule said the meeting is apt considering the mineral endowment of the state and the attention of miners on the state.
He said the meeting will draw attention of a lot of investors from different sectors and there would be no better time for the meeting than now that Nigeria is looking for other revenue sources outside oil.
