The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged mining firms in Nasarawa Local Government of Nasarawa State to coexist peacefully. This call was made on Friday after a meeting with Governor Abdullahi Sule and his cabinet at the Government House, Lafia.
Represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Nkom, the Minister stressed the importance of resolving all ongoing disputes among mining companies in the state before the sixth National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources, scheduled for November.
Emphasising that a peaceful environment is crucial for attracting and sustaining investment in the solid minerals sector, the Minister expressed confidence in Nasarawa’s ability to host a successful event due to its strategic role in Nigeria’s mining industry. He highlighted that Nasarawa State was chosen for the upcoming meeting because of its government’s commitment to advancing mining activities over the years.
Alake further explained that the November meeting would be divided into Technical and Executive sessions, allowing for productive discussions aimed at elevating the mining and mineral resources sectors.
The Minister announced that 3.5 cadastre units (about 70,000 hectares) have been allocated to the feuding parties in the disputed area, with the government receiving 1.5 cadastre units (about 30.4 hectares) of that allocation.
In response, Governor Sule thanked the Minister for his leadership, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Solid Minerals for choosing Nasarawa to host the Council meeting and for resolving the disputes between the mining firms, host communities, and the state government.
“You have brought in so much, and that is our message to the Minister. Yes, we have the committee here, yes, we have put in a lot, and we have to thank the committee. But the biggest of this is your willingness to work with the various states. Today, you have brought in a new dimension to the partnership between the various state government and the various communities where these minerals are sited,” said Governor Sule, stressing the importance of cooperation for peaceful and seamless mineral exploration.
Governor Sule also pledged transparency in the utilisation of resources from the state’s share, stating, “The 1.5 cu allocated to Nasarawa State will go right into production immediately because of the partnership agreement we are signing with one company. And they have already made a promise of how much they are paying as a signature bonus. I promise you that one-third of what will come will go to the local governments and community to find out what the community needs.”
Additionally, the Governor informed the delegation of new mineral sites in Nasarawa, where significant lithium deposits have been discovered. He called for settlements with local communities to commence exploration in Amba and Agwada in Kokona Local Government Area, as well as in the newly discovered site in Keana Local Government Area.
