The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) is being repositioned and rejuvenated for effective service delivery to meet the sector’s mandate of providing jobs and prosperity for Nigerians
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite, stated this at the Induction Ceremony of over 600 members of the Council today, 17th December 2019 in Abuja
Adegbite said under his watch, the Ministry “will continue to support the Council with policy guidance, and indeed in all ways possible to ensure that COMEG functions properly and discharges its responsibilities of regulating, controlling and enforcing the provisions of the laws and regulations guiding mineral exploration and exploitation.”
He added that the Ministry is determined to reposition the agency with a view to play the required role in line with the present administration’s bid to diversify the economy through mining.
The Minister congratulated the inductees and enjoined them to be conversant with the rules guiding their practices and live up to the expectation of the council’s professional Code of Conduct and Ethics, noting that it is by so doing that the standard of practice in the Nigerian Extractive Industry can be sustained.
He said that the Ministry will continue to support COMEG’s operations to meet international best practices.
In his remarks, the Minister of State, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, tasked the inductees to carry out their practices as professionals and urged them to work by the ethics of their profession.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by Engr. Yemi Ogunshominiyi, emphasized the importance and need for training and certification of professionals in the extractive industry that will drive national development, and to enable the country compete favourably among other nations.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Godspower Ebimotimi Okpoi disclosed that COMEG rigorously scrutinized and evaluated all applicants before the 600 inductees were found qualified.
He said efforts are being made towards registration of more professionals and companies to ensure that quackery in the extractive industry is reduced to the barest minimum. This is even as he noted that it is time for the nation to reap the benefits derivable from its mineral resources.
Mr Okpoi tasked the inductees to carry on their practices with integrity, honesty, probity and professional competence; adding that failure to adhere to professional ethics and conduct would not be tolerated by the Council.
In his presentation, the guest Speaker, Prof. Shedrack Benson Jatau, said the extractive industry constitute the backbone of nations’ economy, therefore, only qualified and certified professionals should be allowed to practice.
He stated that the inductees play significant role in the fundamental framework for discovery, exploitation, development and improvement of the natural resources in the country.
In his closing remarks, COMEG Ag Registrar, Mr Ogunmola Johnson, appreciated the efforts of National Assembly and the Honourable Ministers at ensuring that COMMEG achieves its mandate.
The Council Registrar congratulated the newly inducted members and urged them to be committed and practice in accordance with COMEG guidelines.