The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari said the quality of Nigeria’s mineral assets, especially the nation’s tin ore, is one of the best in the world market.
Hon Bwari who received the directors of RHAS Construction Company Nigeria Limited in his office recently, noted that if the mineral resources in the country were well harnessed, Nigeria wouldn’t be where it is today. According to him, ‘’We were doing so well in Tin, Coal and Columbite before the discovery of oil made us ignore the sector, now we have to go back to where we started and today in the world market Tin doing better than oil. ‘’
He urged those operating in the sector, especially those working in some of the troubled zones, not to be discourage by the challenges, assuring that the ministry is willing to give them all the necessary support they needed.
The Minister told the visiting delegation that there are a number of facilities, like the support facility provided by the World Bank assisted MinDiver programme, that a company like theirs can key into. “We will assess you and if you meet some of our requirements you get to benefit from that very supportive programme,” he said.
He commended the company for working in the North East with its special security challenges at the moment when many other business have folded, saying this shows great commitment and thus deserving of every support.
Hon Bwari suggested that if the company wishes to diversify its Quarry operations it can do well by looking at the Mambilla Plateau so as to take advantage of mineral resources there.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Lewa Sarieddine said his companyhas been operating in Nigeria since 1959, and has always enjoyed a good working relationship with the ministry.
His visit was therefore both a goodwill gesture and an attempt to introduced the Company and see how they can further contribute to the development of the Sector.