The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, says the ministry will work with state governors to harness mineral resources for maximum socio-economic development of the country.

Alake gave the assurance while receiving the governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, at his office at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

The minister stated that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development is determined and committed to harnessing the nation’s mineral resources, stressing that Nasarawa State and other endowed states across the country will soon witness rapid development that will enhance the living standards of the citizens.

He said: “Nasarawa State is very significant in terms of the development of mineral sector and we are putting the mechanisms together, we are crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s to make sure that the nation derive maximum benefits from this God-given gift of minerals that are in abundance in Nigeria.

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“We are going to harness and utilise efficiently effectively and proficiently to ensure that Nigeria really expends the resources also judiciously from solid minerals. That is the next petroleum of Nigeria”

While acknowledging the importance and significance of Nasarawa State as sitting on the next petroleum of Nigeria, Alake stated that it is imperative to cooperate, synergise, and coordinate all the dynamics surrounding minerals exploration exploitation and judicious spending of the resources.

The minister however thanked Governor Sule for the visit, stressing that it epitomises the synergy expected between the federal and state governments to develop the critical solid mineral sector.

Speaking, Sule said he was pleased that Alake is the minister of a ministry that “means more than anything to Nasarawa State”.

The governor added that he regarded Alake’s appointment as a win-win situation for Nigeria.

The Star