FCTA To Boost Mining Sector, Pledges To Partner Miners
By: Ifeanyinwa Amulu
Authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), have concluded plans to partner with miners and other Stakeholders in the mining industry toward the development of the sector.
The Administration said the planned partnership with the industry players will unlock the mining potentials abound in the Territory, enhance service delivery to the teeming residents as well as increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the FCT Administration.
Director, Solid Minerals and Allied Matters Department of the FCTA, Engr. Omoniyi Olaloye, made this disclosure during an interaction with the newly redeployed Staff to the Department in his office, Garki, Abuja.
Olaloye said the Department is ever willing and committed to partnering with operators and other stakeholders in the mining sector to not only unlock and tap the endowed mineral resources in FCT but to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and also drive the economic diversification policy of the government.
He commended the leadership of the FCT Administration for the establishment of the Department; describing its creation as a game changer in the industrialization and diversification plans of the FCT.
According to him, the creation of the Department is aimed at sanitizing the mining sector and coordinating all mining-related activities in the Territory for effective and efficient utilization of the mineral resource of the FCT, for sustainable job creation.
He also said the Department has the responsibility of educating stakeholders including the government on how to key into opportunities in the minerals sector as an alternative revenue earner, which is in line with the diversification of the nation’s economy through the development of the non-oil sector.
The Director noted that the FCT has many mineral deposits, which include, Granite, Tantalite and Marble. Other minerals deposit according to him, are Iron ore, Tin among others.
Olaloye, therefore, urged companies, investors, and mining experts to come forward and build synergy with the Department to ensure a harmonious working relationship between the government and the key players in the sector.
He explained that a coordinated approach to the mining sector in the Territory will be of mutual benefit not only to the government but also to all the stakeholders in the sector.
The FCTA had recently created the Department and saddled it with the responsibility of ensuring that all Mining activities in the FCT are properly coordinated to boost the socio-economic activities of the residents.
