The Federal Government has said that the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) and Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Jos, had contributed immensely to the development of the mining sector.
Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, made this known in a statement issued by Mrs Etore Thomas, Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry on Monday, in Abuja.
Adegbite who paid a working visit to the two organisations under his ministry in Jos, Plateau state, expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two agencies.
“I was not surprised by the achievements recorded since the two Chief Executive Officers assumed office; results easily come when competent hands take charge of critical agencies of government.
“I referred to them as experts who have done lots of researches in different areas relating to minerals and the metals sector.
“NIMG is currently training many people on gemstones identification, cutting, polishing, that would enable Nigerians make use of the gemstones that are in quantum in the country, rather than exporting them in their raw form.
“Some school’s faculties are part of the ongoing jewellery making training in Abuja; they are also a repository of knowledge and technical expertise on how different gemstones can be identified, cut, polished and made into jewellery,” he said.
Speaking on the positive impacts made by NMDC, Adegbite said that any nation that desired to be independent and wants to make progress technologically, should have its own steel production.
“This Centre is a technological hub, without which Nigeria cannot make it, a lot has been done here and more are still needed to be done.
“Where they are today is no mean feat, they have done so much and they can also do more”, the minister added.
He cited an MoU signed by NMDC with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), on local production of weapons for the Nigerian armed forces as a step in the right direction.
According to him, DICON looked inward during Covid-19 restrictions and found that what they had been importing into the country, can be done even better locally at NMDC, Jos.
He noted that NMDC and NIMG needed more funds to achieve their mandates and ensure Nigeria takes its pride of place in the global minerals and metals sector.
He promised to address the funding issue before the current administration winds up.
Also speaking, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NMDC, Prof. Linus Asuquo, said the activities of the agency were crucial in value addition, from exploration to extraction and to fabrication.
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“Significant progress had been recorded since the inception of the current administration, most especially in renewing infrastructure and building capacity aimed at bringing the centre at par with similar Research and Development establishments in other developing countries.
Earlier, Prof. Bolaji Hassan, the Director-General, NIMG, said the mission of the agency was to be an international centre of excellence in training and research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development.
According to him, NIMG was committed to the ideals of resuscitating mining and minerals processing engineering and skills acquisition in Nigeria.
“To achieve these laudable programs, we must be proactive in developing our human capacity requirements to bridge the gap through training, research and skill acquisition.
“Short courses specifically tailored to meet the present and future needs of our mining, minerals and metal sector”, the director-general said.
He solicited for more funding to assist the agency develop its infrastructure and deliver on its mandate.
(NAN)
