The Federal Government has inaugurated a Ministerial Technical Committee on the formulation of a framework for sustainable development and growth of the Metals Industry in Nigeria, noting that it is strategic in its economic diversification journey.
Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, the Minister of states or Mines and Steel Development who inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja said the Committee could not have come at a better time than now when the Federal Government is seeking ways for economic diversification amid dwindling oil revenue resources.
The minister in a statement noted that Metals industry is unarguably the bedrock of industrialization and the key ingredient for sustainable growth and development of any nation.
“Virtually everything we use today either has components of metals or produced using metallic equipment,” he said.
Represented by the director, Artisanal and Small – Scale Mining Department, Patrick Ojeka, the Minister restated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration in creating enabling environment for the growth and development of the Metals Industry with a view to diversify the economy, increase revenue generation, create employment and reduce poverty in Nigeria.
The Minister noted that the Ministry constituted the Technical Committee not only to develop a framework and articulate some sustainable programmes that would boost the industry but also have a second perusal at the Draft Nigeria Metallurgical Industry Bill as well as the Regulations therefrom.
He enjoined members of the Committee to bring their wealth of experiences to bear, as well as their natural comparative advantage towards rebuilding the ailing Metals Industry to enable us to utilize locally available mineral raw materials that Nigeria is endowed with for economic diversification.
In his acceptance remarks, the Chairman of the 13- Member Committee, Director, Metallurgical Inspectorate and Raw Material Development (MI&RMD) Department, Victor Ihebinike, on behalf of the members, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its determination to develop the Metals Sector.
He assured the Minister that the Committee will work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed on them.
