Don advocates FG, states collaboration on solid minerals

A university don, Prof.  Pam Dung Sha of the Department of political science of  University of Jos has called for partnership between the states and Federal Government for the ministry of solid minerals to achieve its objectives in the next five or 10 years.

The university lecturer, who advised the Federal Government to incorporate the state Governments in the project in order for it to be feasible, made the suggestion while delivering a lecture titled Achieving effective Natural  Resource Governance in Nigeria with focus on research findings at a workshop organised by African centre for leadership, strategy and Development (LSD) in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

Prof. Pam Sha noted that the funding of the study was to regulate the framework for the solid minerals industry in order for the agency to provide revenue for employment and deliver social services to Nigeria.

He also declared that it is imperative  for government to block all the leakages by tackling corruption through the full declaration and disclosure from miners both local and international. Saying,  “If all the leakages are not  blocked  then there is no way Government or the ministry will achieve its objective as it seeks to create wealth in the  nation”

Meanwhile the minister of solid minerals Dr. Kayode fayemi in a recorded interview which was aired at the workshop, reiterated the commitment of the solid minerals  ministry to contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product   GDP.

Dr. Fayemi however maintained that the ministry is ready to collaborate with villages and local governments to reach an agreement in order to benefit immensely from from the dividends of solid minerals.

In his own speech, the  state government ably represented by  the commissioner for  commerce  and industry Hon. Micheal Ayodele said the forum is now based on harnessing mineral resources and developing agriculture as alternative source of revenue to run Nigeria instead of mono economy that depend solely on petrol  naira.

Ayodele who expressed the hope the workshop will also help to bring understanding between miners and the host communities, however commended the organiser of the programe for the concern, saying this would go a long in ensuring rapid economic development in the country.

The executive Director of the African centre for leadership, strategy and Development Dr. Otive Igbuzor who was represented by Mr. Monday Osasah thanked the state government and the people of Ekiti state for accepting and supporting the implementation of the project.

Participants at the programme includes,  traditional ruler, Hon. Members of Ekiti state Housd of Assembly permanent secretary, ministry of commerce and industry in the state, stake holders in the mi jng industry, the representative of the New Innitiative fir Social development,  (NISD), Mr. Olamide Ogunlade and the women’s Right officer for the LSD.