The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is working to ensure that revenue accruals from the mining sector are properly harnessed into the Federation Account for the development and benefit of Nigeria as it seeks to achieve its goals, in order to meet its statutory and Presidential mandate of increasing the mining sector’s contribution to GDP from 0.6 percent to 5% by 2025.
On Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, stated this when he hosted Mr. Cui Jianchun, the People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
This was contained in a statement by the Head (Press & Public Relations Unit), Tine-Iulun M. A which a copy was sent to newsmen in Abuja statement that,
“In its continued efforts to ensure the delivery of its statutory and Presidential mandate to grow the mining sector contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), from 0.6% to 5% by year 2025, the Ministry is working at ensuring that revenue accruals from the mining sector is properly harnessed into the Federation Account for the development and benefit of Nigeria as it seeks to deepen collaboration with China to develop the sector.”
Arc. Adegbite stated that Nigeria has always had a positive relationship with China and that Chinese mining investment would be extremely beneficial to both countries.
In addition, while reiterating the importance of committed Chinese investors in the mining sector, Minister of State Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah requested that a Mineral Desk be established at the Chinese Embassy to facilitate the resolution of issues arising from Chinese operators in the Nigerian mining sector.
He did, however, admit that the Chinese are the country’s largest mining investors.
Many Chinese citizens have been found indulging in illicit mining activities, according to the report, which claims that the majority of them are illegal miners.
He called for synergy in the area of combating illegal mining in Nigeria as well as solicited for support in addressing this challenge to boost bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier , the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Cui Jianchun, who revealed he had been in Nigeria for 100 days, stated that it was time to leverage on the good relations China has enjoyed with Nigeria for 50 years, and deepen the partnership as there are huge potentials for Chinese investors and government in Nigeria.
Mr. Cui Jianchun expressed China’s willingness to work with Nigeria for the benefit of both countries.
