PDP chieftain urges Government to prioritise exploration of mineral resources

A Chieftain of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Hon. Opeyemi Falegan, has called on the Government at all levels to see mineral resouces sector as a major sector that could be used to turn around the fortunes of the country in a bid to reduce over dependent on oil money.

Falegan who expressed concern over the present economic situation of the country said the country was not suppose to be poor if the mineral resources of the country had been properly explored and utilised the way it should be done.

He said the current 0.3 per cent contribution of mining sector into the national GDP in Nigeria “which experts had blamed on oil influence on the economy is not acceptable at all.”

The United Kingdom based politician who noted that mineral resources across the country was enough to salvage and build a sustainable economy for the country said, ” Nigerian has no reason to be poor

According to him, “Nigeria is a blessed nation with many resources both human and natural, but the problem with us is lack of desired will to tap the opportunity placed at our doorstep by the nature”.

“Due to the discovery of oil in 1956, the mining industry which was already at its peak between 1930s and 1950s was neglected. The development has led to Nigeria importing nearly all mineral resources including salt and iron ore, it could ordinarily produce domestically.

“Nigeria was a major producer of Tin, Coal and Columbite in 1940s after the commencement of organised mining in 1903 when the British colonial government created mineral survey of the North protectorates with that of South created a year after.”

Falegan who expressed this in a statement made available to journslists in Ado Ekiti, said the I’ll effect of such development came to the fore with the sharp drop in oil money in the middle of 2015 which affected the Nigerian economy more than any other oil producing countries across the globe.

According to him,: “In the world of today, no country of over 170 million population like Nigeria can survive with mono economy in the midst of alarming rate of corruption in the sector and especially when such product is highly competitive and has a comparative economy valued advantage like crude oil.

“It is high time, Nigerian government started to be more concerned and serious on diversification of the economy as against the rhetorical music of diversifying without such in reality and action.

“To build a dependable economy hub for a state requires sincerity and commitment on the path of our leaders and such leaders need a lot of sacrifices to achieve a good result.

“Nigeria is no doubt a complex nation with many languages, cultures, religions and traditions, therefore to get people together in such atmosphere in order to speak in one voice requires the grace of God, sacrifices and self discipline at all times.

“It is now imperative for Nigerian government at levels to redirect their energy on how to bring about real development into the nation through other sources of direct and indirect investment opportunities like exploration of our neglected mineral sector in the country apart from oil money alone.

“In fact, the Enugu coal which was discovered in 1903, by 1950s and 60s,the Nigeria peak coal production had reached 574,758 tones with the low sulfur coal mined in Nigeria was desirable by international Customers in Italy and United Kingdom.

“It is disheartening and unfortunate that, other mineral resources like Gold, bitumen, kaolin, tantalite lignite, shale and magnesite among others which could be found in large quantity in many states across Nigeria have also remained untapped.

“Therefore, it is high time we woke up to the challenge of building a sustainable and multi-dimensional economy that could sustain our fast growing population.”he added.