The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang says he remains resolute in exploring the huge solid mineral deposits the state is blessed with in order to grow the economy despite the crisis bedeviling the state.
He made this assertion when he visited the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr.Mary Ogba in her office in Abuja.
Governor Mutfwang reiterated the commitment of his administration to the collaboration with the Federal Government to develop the solid minerals sector and reclaim the abandoned mining sites scattered across the state to make them useful for agriculture, recreation and tourism.
He explained that modern techniques of mining exploration would be adopted in line with the federal government guidelines to generate revenue that would be beneficial to the people of Plateau State. And assured critical stakeholders in the solid mineral sector of his administration to enter into mutual benefitting partnership to explore minerals in the state for the greater development of the people.
Mutfwang further posited , ” In the Nigerian Mining Corporation ( NMC), there are some of the assets which were left untouched, especially in NESCO, which is the first Hydro Electricity Generating Company which the Mining Corporation had about nine percent of the shares.
” Although the company is not doing well now and if we can enter into discussions under the Public Private Partnership (PPP), we will be able to bring together all the shareholders to see what we can make out of it for the benefit of the state” .
The Managing Director, Plateau Investment and Property Development Company (PIPC), Mr Danlami Jelka described the mining sector as one of the key drivers of the economy of the state under the present administration.
The MD noted that Governor Mutfwang was willing to work in collaboration with the Federal Government and the Impact Nigeria Alliance to make the mining sector more productive and habitable for citizens of the state.
Director,Mines Environmental Compliance,Dr .Okono Vivian and Deputy Director, Public Private Partnership,Salamatu Umar said Plateau has the highest abandoned mining sites that require reclamation.
According to them, a study conducted by the ministry indicates that Plateau has over 700 of the 1260 abandoned mining sites across the country. They added that Plateau has been enlisted among states to have such sites reclaimed this year.
