Nigeria repositioning mining industry for efficiency ─Arc. Adegbite

Alexander Davis

The Federal Government of Nigeria, Monday, December 16, 2019, expressed its readiness to reposition and rejuvenate Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) for growth and effective service delivery.

Architect Olamilekan Adegbite, Honourable Minister for Mines and Steel Development, announced this at the 9th induction ceremony of COMEG in Abuja

Adegbite said changes needed to be effected in order to “sustain the standard of practice in the Nigerian Extractive Industry.”

The minister called on all and sundry to close ranks with the Council so that Nigeria can reap the benefits associated with the minerals sector of the economy.

He stated that his ministry would continue to support the Council with policy and guidance, and indeed, all ways possible to ensure that COMEG functions properly and discharges its responsibility of regulating, controlling and enforcing the provisions of the laws and regulations guiding mineral exploration and exploitation.

The minister appealed to all stakeholders in both public and private sectors and the tertiary institutions to collaborate with COMEG for the good of the Nigeria extractive industry.

“The importance of professionalism in the extractive industry cannot be overemphasised. As such all hands must be on deck to ensure that COMEG succeed in its mandate as the foremost regulator of the professions in the sector,” he declared.

Adegbite reminded them of the significance President Muhammadu Buhari’s attention to the mines and steel sector as one of the major focus of his administration with commensurate support in funding.

“In return, this sector is expected to provide jobs and prosperity for Nigerians,” he said, adding, while directing that a substantive Registrar be appointed as soon as possible for the Council.

“When this is done, I will also ensure that COMEG gets a befitting office accommodation to carry out its operations. In other words, what I am saying in essence is that the Council will be repositioned and rejuvenated for growth and effective service delivery.”