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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has said he remains resolute in tackling the menace of insecurity and exploring the huge solid mineral deposits in the state in other to grow the state’s economy.
He promised not to loose focus in achieving the new Plateau economy through the minerals sector despite the deteriorating security challenges confronting Plateau State looking at the great expectations citizens of the State have on him.
Governor Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs Mr Gyang Bere made this remark when he visited the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogba in her office at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration in collaborating with the Federal Government, to develop the solid minerals sector and reclaimed the abandoned mining sites scattered across the state and make use of them for agriculture, recreation and tourism.
Mutfwang explained that morden techniques for mining exploration will be adopted in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines to generate revenue that will be beneficial to the people of Plateau State.
The Executive Governor hinted critical stakeholders in the solid minerals sector of the intention of his administration to enter into mutually benefitting partnerships to explore minerals in the state for the greater development of the people.
“In the Nigerian Mining Corporation, there are some of the assets which were left untouched, especially in the NESCO, which is the first Hydro Electricity Generating Company which the mining Corporation had about 9 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” he stated.
The Managing Director, Plateau Investments and Property Development Company, Hon. Danlami Jelka described the mining sector as one of the key drivers of the economy of the state under the present administration.
He noted that government is 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.
The 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.
“A study conducted by the Ministry indicates that Plateau has over 700 of the 1,260 abandoned mining sites across the country. Plateau have been enlisted among states to have such sites reclaimed this year.”
