Governor Abdullahi Adamu has called for the development of solid minerals as an alternative to Nigeria’s mono-economy. The governor was speaking while receiving the Minister for Solid Minerals Development in audience. Elder Ugbesia, who was on an assessment visit of solid minerals potentials in Nasarawa state, had paid a courtesy call on the Governor to intimate him of plans by the solid minerals ministry to develop the potentials in Nasarawa state.

Nasarawa state according to Governor Adamu was ready to supply a large chunk of the solid mineral requirements of the country but was incapacitated because the constitution made the exploration of solid minerals the exclusive preserve of the federal government. He noted that efforts made thus far by the state government was to ensure that informal miners were encouraged to form cooperative organizations which were registered to access them to funding and technology. Nasarawa state according to Governor Adamu, was blessed with various solid mineral deposits but could not enjoy the benefits because those with the capital and wherewithal to exploit the minerals have not been licensed to do so. He therefore called on the federal government to liberalize the mining sector to enable private concerns to inject their funds into the sector.

Speaking earlier, the Minister for Solid Mineral Development, Elder Odion Ugbesia said he was on an assessment tour of Nasarawa State and particularly Azara were it the largest deposits of Baraytes in Nigeria have been identified. The Minister said that as part of federal government’s package on solid mineral development, a contract has been awarded for the geological ariel survey of the country for which Nasarawa state will benefit. He also said that the UNDP has provided a loan of N800 million to the country for the development of the solid mineral sector. Part of the funds, according to the Minister, will be applied to the development of artesianal skills for the exploitation of solid minerals in Nasarawa state. He also requested for the cooperation of the state government in the proposed take over of the Delta Prospectors firm in Lafia.

At the end of the courtesy call, the Governor in company of the Minister under took a trip to Azara where they inspected sites for byrate mining in the state.