Diversification: Miner Wants States To Complement FG’s Initiatives

A miner, Alhaji Mukhtar Shinkafi  has urged state governments to complement the Federal Government’s initiatives in the mining sector in order to actualise the diversification of the nation’s economy.
Shinkafi made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
He described the Federal Government’s diversification efforts as a timely and welcome development.
According to him,  government’s efforts  in diversification through mining and agriculture will boost the nation’s economy, generate more revenue for  government and provide employment for  unemployed youths.
“The state governments should also prioritise the sectors in their areas so as to support the Federal Government  to improve the nation’s economy .
“Even though there is limitation  on the state governments to participate in the mining of natural resources , they have a greater role to play at their level in supporting policies that would enhance the nation’s economy.
“States and local governments should focus on what  will determine the future of our country;  we all know the importance  of agriculture and mining sectors to the global economy.
“We should be supporting the Federal Government in achieving its policies of  halting  over dependence  on the oil sector; we all know the challenges of oil in  the global market today,’’  he added.
He also urged the Federal Government to provide more security agents at   mining sites, saying that insecurity had become  a big threat to  mining activities in the country.
“Not only in Zamfara State, but also  all over the country, the issue of mining requires enough security, therefore government should do something in this regard.
“As government provided enough funding to the mining sector, it should also consider security in order to ensure peaceful  mining operations  in the country,’’  he said.