Professionalism in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry: The Crackdown on Unregistered Mining Engineers
The Federal Government is dedicated to upholding a high standard of professionalism within Nigeria’s extractive industry by taking action against unregistered mining engineers. Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, made this declaration during the 13th Induction and Certificate Presentation organized by the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers And Geoscientists (COMEG) in Abuja.
Dr. Alake stressed the importance of eliminating the presence of unqualified individuals in the mining sector, particularly given the increasing significance of solid minerals as a source of wealth for Nigeria. He emphasized the necessity for professionalism in the operation of solid minerals and declared that mining engineers without accreditation from COMEG will no longer be acknowledged by the ministry. This measure is part of a broader initiative to eradicate unqualified individuals from the sector.
In his address to the audience of inductees, Dr. Alake highlighted the vital role they play in the value chain of Minerals Development and urged them to continually enhance their knowledge and skills in order to support the administration’s agenda of economic diversification. He firmly stated that the Ministry of Solid Minerals will not recognize any mining engineer or geoscientist without COMEG registration, and all reports submitted to the ministry must bear the stamp of COMEG registration.
Furthermore, Dr. Alake emphasized the global shift away from fossil fuels and emphasized Nigeria’s need to capitalize on its abundant mineral resources in order to keep pace with the rest of the world. This change in focus from oil dependency to harnessing the potential of solid minerals is the underlying principle behind the establishment of the solid ministry, as explained by the Minister.
In line with the government’s efforts, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of COMEG, Prof Zcheous Opafunso, highlighted the council’s responsibility to maintain a register of qualified professionals in the fields of Geoscience, Mining Engineering, and Metallurgy. He emphasized that COMEG registration is obligatory for all professionals, including nationals and expatriates, in order to legally operate in Nigeria. The council will enforce penalties for any violation of this regulation.
The induction ceremony also served as a reminder to parents and students to avoid institutions that offer non-COMEG accredited professional programs, as cautioned by the Registrar. Additionally, some of the inductees expressed their appreciation for the certificates, noting that the recognition will enhance their careers and enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the mining sector.
In conclusion, the crackdown on unregistered mining engineers is a crucial step towards fostering professionalism and ensuring that only qualified individuals are permitted to operate within Nigeria’s extractive industry. The commitment of the Federal Government, as well as the efforts of COMEG, signifies a collective dedication to upholding standards and promoting excellence in the mining sector.
Attribution:
Reported by Rabi Momoh; Edited by Adeniyi Bakare
