Month: September 2019

Minister of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite has expressed readiness to partner with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), to ensure the repositioning of the mineral industry geared towards achieving the economic diversification policy of the present administration. The Minister spoke of the need for the collaboration when he received UNIDO …

As the Federal government strives to diversify the economy through Mining and Steel Sector, the revitalization of Ajaokuta Steel Company to produce optimally is of utmost concern to the present administration, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite stressed this when he received the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Alexey Shebarshir in his office. The minister pointed out that Federal Government did not deliberately abandon the company but owing to some legal encumbrances, the company has not been producing optimally. He said that the government has been expending huge amount of money to ensure that the assets at the company are not vandalized. Adegbite informed the Russian Ambassador that the Federal Government is working round the clock to ensure that some sections of the company will start production before the end of the year. He assured his guest of the government’s readiness to welcome any collaboration aimed at revitalising the steel industry to operate in full capacity. The minister said that plan are on ground to engage relevant companies on meaningful discussions  with a view to employ strategic approaches on the best ways to reinvigorate  Ajaokuta Steel into full production so as a achieve the vision of making it the hub of industrialization not only to Nigeria but Africa at large. The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshir, speaking earlier, said that his country is ready to partner with Nigeria in resuscitating Ajaokuta Steel Company especially in the areas of rebuilding infrastructure and overhauling of the plant. He emphasised on the need for the Federal Government to protect the private investors who are interested in turning around the company for maximum production. While commenting on the partnership, the Russian Deputy Head of Mission, Trade and Economic Affairs, Valery Shaposhnikov, said that they have carried out on the spot analysis of the challenges militating against smooth operation of the company. He called for more engagement between government and stakeholders in the industry so as the to be better informed and fashion out the best ways to tackle the issues hindering the operations of the company. Shaposhnikov reiterated his country’s readiness from the inception of the company to harness the potential of Steel in providing the necessary equipment for the industrialization of the country

Minister of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite has advocated Public Private Partnership (PPP) for a sustained growth and development in the mining sector that would enhance economic growth. Speaking while receiving members of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) led by the West African Director, Ekenem Isichei, who paid him a courtesy …

Artisanal, or small scale miners, have denied links between their activities and insecurity in parts of the country. Recent reports had linked artisanal miners to the escalation of banditry and killings in the country, particularly Zamfara State, where hundreds of lives have been lost in attacks on local communities by bandits. But the miners, under …

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is to partner the Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Materials Engineers (NIMMME) in manpower training in the sector. This was the high point of discussion when the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite received the Executives of the Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining and Materials Engineers, who paid a courtesy visit on him on thursday, 5th September, 2019. The Hon. Minister stated that the Federal Government is concerned about the dangers associated with informal mining activities and have taken steps to organize the operators in the informal mining into co-operatives. He enjoined the executive to find a way to enhance their operation through training and organization of their operations to meet international best practices. While assuring them of the Ministry’s continuous collaboration to move the sector forward, the Minister tasked the Institution to develop new curriculum for universities and polytechnics that would enable engineers to refocus on practical aspect of engineering like fabrication and production of simple basic engineering parts. He stated that the production of such parts by Nigeria Engineers would reduce importation of such parts and create greater job opportunity for Nigerians. In his remarks, the Minister of State, Dr Uchechukwu  Sampson Ogah, reiterated the Ministry’s willingness to continually collaborate with them, noting that the body is vital to the development of the sector. He said that mechanize methods would improve mining practices and increase revenue generation for the government. Earlier, the Chairman of the Institution, Engr Ayo Adeyemo, congratulated the Ministers and said that the purpose of the visit was to seek closer partnership with a view to availing the ministry professional expertise in the development of the sector. He disclosed that the main aim of the Institution is to cater for the Professional Development of Engineers and ensure their members adhere to Engineering Regulatory Rules of practice. He solicited for greater support and collaboration to enable the Institution realize its mandate and to contribute to the present administration’s desire to diversify the economy

….as Kogi Iron Enters Next Phase of Operation  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Abdulkadir Muazu; at the ongoing 17th edition of Africa DownUnder Mining Conference in Perth, Australia reiterated Nigeria’s resolve at pursuing basic reforms as requirements for effective mining business in Nigeria. Meeting some investors with the Nigerian delegation at …