‘Government committed to international mining rules’

The Federal Government, yesterday, said it is committed to conducting its activities based on existing International Mining Regulation, to achieve growth and development in the mineral sector.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, stated this when he received the Executive Director of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Mark Robinson, in Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of State, Uchechukwu Ogah, he said the Ministry is determined to ensure that registered mining firms operate within the confines of the rules and regulation.

According to him, structure of the Nigeria Extractive Transparency Initiative (NEITI), is meant to achieve total transparency as well increase the revenue generation in the mineral sector.

He also revealed that government is working on restructuring and reform that would revive the sector and make it key alternative to diversifying the economy and grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Earlier, Robinson expressed satisfaction in the revival of the mineral sector, saying, Nigeria stands to benefit from belonging to EITI.

“As a member country, we are confident this collaboration would attract huge investment opportunities, and also would serve as source of revenue generation, job creation, and economic growth.”

Robinson, however, commended the Ministry’s commitment to operating by EITI and NEITI regulations, adding that it would promote transparency, accountability, and create confidence in investors. 

On his part, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Waziri Adio, said they came to seek cooperation and to introduce the new International Executive Director, Mark Robinson.