Calls for Increased Manpower to Strengthen Public Mining Agencies
The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) has submitted a proposal for the recruitment of additional personnel to strengthen the workforce in public mining agencies. This recommendation was accompanied by an emphasis on the importance of improving the working conditions of employees in the sector, with the objective of enhancing its overall performance.
In an interview in Abuja, NMGS President Prof. Akinade Olatunji emphasized the urgency of reinforcing the Mines Inspectorate Department and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency to ensure efficient service delivery. He highlighted the current inadequacy of staff in these agencies, particularly the lack of mining engineers and geologists, which has adversely affected their ability to meet expected outcomes.
Furthermore, Olatunji underscored the importance of generating geoscience data to assess the nation’s natural resources. He recommended the involvement of non-governmental partners, such as the NMGS, in the generation and deployment of essential skills not readily available within the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Additionally, the NMGS President proposed the identification and promotion of local champions in the mining sector to attract both local and foreign investors by presenting success stories. He also called for collaboration between the Ministry, Nigeria Customs Service, and NMGS to provide the necessary expertise to combat the extensive exportation of Nigeria’s mineral resources without proper declaration, resulting in significant revenue leakage.
A significant aspect of Prof. Olatunji’s recommendations also involves the full implementation of the government directive mandating the processing of minerals before export, to ensure their appropriate value in international markets. He expressed confidence that this approach could lead to a significant transformation in the industrial sector.
In conclusion, the NMGS has presented compelling suggestions to revitalize the mining sector in Nigeria by improving the workforce and working conditions in public mining agencies, generating essential geoscience data, promoting local champions, and ensuring the proper processing of mineral resources before export.
This article was sourced from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
