Ebonyi State government has planned to boost its internally generated revenue (IGR) by harnessing all its solid mineral deposits in the state to expand her economic scope, the government has said.
It believes that this would not only create employment opportunities, but also save the state from depending solely on the Federal monthly allocation for the massive developments ongoing in the state.
The state commissioner for Solid Mineral Deposit Development, Jonah Egba stated this in his office when he inaugurated a committee on the Blueprint on Solid Minerals in the state.
Egba noted that it was necessary to bring a team of experts together to develop a blueprint for the solid minerals development in the state, because since 2015 the ministry was created, it has been running a very shrink department; hence an urgent need to widen and expand the department to carry the full responsibilities of the ministry.
The commissioner therefore, expressed his optimism that by the time the full responsibilities of the ministry were carried out, the state may no longer depend on the Federal allocations and Ebonyians will be happy for it.
Also speaking, the special adviser to the Governor on solid minerals development, Edwin Onwe lauded the commissioner for his ingenuity in selecting the team of experts for the assignment, and the committee members for accepting to assist. He promised them to provide an enabling environment for their work.
In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the committee on solid minerals blueprint, Omari Omaka appreciated the Governor, David Umahi for appointing Jonah Egba as the commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, due to his wider knowledge of the environment and ideas to develop the solid minerals sector.
He however pleaded for an enabling environment, as they would not want any unnecessary interruptions that will constitute a set-back in their move to serve the government and reposition the solid minerals sector.
The committee members are: Omari Omaka as chairman; Joseph Afiaukwa; Chuka Abara and Emmanuel Egba, while Sunday Okike would server as secretary.
