Business
MAN Tasks FG On Solid Minerals Dev, Revenue
The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Jos on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to make solid minerals an alternative source of revenue.
Alhaji Sani Shehu, the National President of the association, told newsmen on the occasion marking the International Day for Mine Awareness that government had not given mining sector the desired attention.
“Mining is going to be the only industry that will rescue the Nigerian economy from collapse. The government has not given the sector the desired attention. So far, there had been no sign to show that the government is committed to encouraging mining in the country,” Shehu said.
Shehu said that if adequately exploited, the solid minerals sector has the potential of becoming a major source of revenue for the country.
“What we are saying simply is that dependence on only one product as source of foreign exchange is dangerous, given the experiences of the economic meltdown”.
“During the global economic meltdown, the price of crude oil dropped to about 50 dollars and countries that depended solely on the product witnessed serious financial pressure. ’’
The president commended President Goodluck Jonathan for identifying solid minerals as a critical sector of the economy and urged the Federal Government to back it with workable policies.
Shehu advocated the establishment of Solid Minerals Development Bank to intervene in the sector.
He also stressed the need for miners in the country to adopt the global best practices in the discharge of their duties.
The UN General Assembly in December 2005 declared that April 4 of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mines Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.