KADSG HOST THE FIRST EVER NORTHERN NIGERIA SOLID MINERAL FAIR

KADSG HOST THE FIRST EVER NORTHERN NIGERIA SOLID MINERAL FAIR

                               By:
                    Nurudeen Dauda
                    May 11, 2017
nurudeendauda24@yahoo.com
nurudeendauda24@gmail.com 
nurudeendauda.blogspot.com

Northern Nigeria can safely be said to be the home of solid mineral resources in Nigeria. Although there are solid mineral resources all over the country it is a public knowledge that it is dominant in the North. "About 34 minerals of commercial quantities have been found in Nigeria"- Mr. David Adulugba, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)-(Vanguard, October 27,2011). Kogi state alone has deposits of a total of 29 MINERAL RESOURCES available in commercial quantities. Nasarawa state about 23, Plateau state about 21 and Kaduna state about 19 different mineral resources.

In a book tittle: Industrial Development of the Northern States of Nigeria, edited by Dr.Usman Bugaje, Dr. Ladi A.Hamalai and Dr. Sabo A.Indabawa its provided the list of minerals resources in the 19 Northern States and Abuja. In the book they mentioned that there are Uranium,Diamond,Kaolin,Iron Ore and Gold etc., for Gold it is found in 9 states in Northern Nigeria: In Zamfara(Kauran Namoda,Gumi,Maru,Tsafe,Anka and Bukkuyum); Kastina( Bakori,Faskari,Sabuwa,Malumfashi,Safana and Batsari); Kebbi (Bagudo and Ngaski); Niger(Rafi,Magama,Chanchaga, and Kontagora) Kogi(Kogi and Yaba East); Kaduna (Birnin Gwari);Kano(Sumaila); Borno(Gwoza) and Kwara((Moro).

In my humble understanding, why mineral resources development in Nigeria is very poor is simply because of the highly centralized nature of our constitution. Our constitution puts natural resources in the exclusive legislative list which means only the federal government has power on. The idea of resource control which some Niger Deltans have been advocating for, although,I know too very well that if the idea were to be introduced now the North will be at disadvantage for the next 3 to 5 years, in my understanding, it will facilitate the development of mineral resource more than in the present arrangement. If the sector develops the North will surely catch up soonest. The sector is capable of providing a lot of resources. The federal government due to cheap funds from the sales of crude oil has neglected the mineral resources sector for too long.

However, Kaduna State would host the first ever Northern Nigeria Solid Mineral Fair and Workshop, which is scheduled to run between May 16 and 18 at the Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex in Kaduna. The fair,which is the first of its kind in the solid minerals’ endowed North was scheduled to draw attention of relevant stakeholders to myriads of available opportunities in the sector.

The Organisers of the fair, the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, in collaboration with Proedge Limited, stated that the fair would provide a platform for stakeholders to be kept abreast of the best practices in harnessing solid mineral deposits and minimising inherent hazards to individuals and communities.More so, relevant agencies of government, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Bank of Industry and Raw Materials Research and Development Council among others.

Discussants in the thematic areas, drawn from the academic, government and experienced industry players, would lead participants to explore legal and regulatory frameworks, collaboration among three tiers of government, management, environment and finance; discussion would also touch on technology/equipment: Geological studies to determine quantity and quality related to the sector.

The Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, NMMA, 2007 has vested the control, regulation and ownership of all mineral resources in all states, to the Federal Government.

In my view, let's look at the act governing the mineral resources sector and make some amendment for good.

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