. . . as DG reiterates FG’s commitment to secure lives in sector
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to further secure lives and properties in its bid to diversify the nation’s economy through the Solid Minerals sector.
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, MCO, Engr. Obadiah Nkom gave the assurance at a strategy session convened alongside the newly elected Executive Members of the Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, who paid him a working visit in his office, recently, in Abuja.
While he said the MCO is determined to achieve the target set for the sector, Engr. Nkom noted that Nigeria has abundant resources and potentials needed to achieve set goals.
A statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity, MCO, Folasade Fatoke quoted the Director General as saying that “the issue of suspension of mining activities in the sector is to secure lives and properties. We all have responsibility to make sure things work well for the country.”
Congratulating the Miners Association of Nigeria for a successful election, Engr Nkom noted that the Association has been well promoted both locally and internationally by its former executives. He urged the new executives to do more to resolve all conflicts emanating from members.
Engr. Nkom, who further commended MAN for being a critical stakeholder in the industry, appraised the cordial relationship between the Agency and MAN, saying that it will be sustained.
He further disclosed that the MCO would be more transparent and closer to the people after its system upgrade and migration to online system.
He stated “In relation to Mineral Titles, you are stakeholders in the mining policy and processing. Once the upgrade is done, it will close the gap between the Agency and the people, for more secured and transparent process.”
The newly elected President of MAN, Alhaji Kabiru Mohammed, said the present administration has shifted attention from the oil industry to the mining sector to diversify the economy, and assured of full cooperation and support to work with the MCO in order to achieve government’s desired goal.
The former president of MAN, Alhaji Sani Shehu, while congratulating Engr. Nkom on his appointment as Director- General of the MCO, thanked him for extending the timeline for collection of new applications. He explained that mining, as a licensed business depends on the MCO which has the statutory authority to issue such licenses.
In attendance were some Directors of the MCO and the newly elected executive members of MAN, namely the National Secretary, Dele Ayanleke; National Publicity Secretary, Tope Adebanjo; National Financial Secretary, Banji Obayi; the first National Vice President, Musa Muhammad and the second National Vice President, Enebeli Kennedy.
