Plateau Laments Exploitation Of Its Solid Minerals

Plateau State Government has lamented the massive exploration of solid minerals in the state for which no compensation was paid, saying “we were exploited; even if given any compensation, it was just a stipend, not commensurate with the massive exploration.”

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the special training programme for the staff of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development at the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Jos, over the weekend, state commissioner of Mineral Development, Mr Adabok Zandi said that the state governor, Jonah Jang is working out ways to making a case before the United Nations.

He charged the participants to make use of the knowledge they gained during the training exercise to better the lots of their ministry and the nation as a whole.

Speaking earlier, acting Provost of the institute, Dr Ebenezer Damisa said the 48 participants were trained in four areas of mines surveying, rudiments of quarrying operation, rudiments of mining practices, and Environmental procedures. He therefore urged Legislators who are mining policy makers to avail themselves of the training, as it will help them to get a clearer picture when they make policies.

According to him, “the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has consistently identified the minerals and metals sector as a major driver in the diversification of the nation’s economy. This strong belief has been re-echoed at various fora by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Musa Mohammed Sada, that the development of the rich mineral endowment of the country can engender massive employment, create rural wealth and provide direct linkages for accelerated development of other sectors of the economy, in addition to generating revenue for national development.”

He said his institute was expected to provide the opportunity for manpower training and institutional capacity building for the mining sector from which practically oriented and capable management cadre of manpower will be produced to plan and manage the development activities in the mining sector.
Damisa said “it is against this backdrop that NIMG runs programmes and short duration courses in various aspects.”