The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has said the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu administration, will work with states to harness Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.
Alake gave the assurance when Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State paid him a courtesy visit on Friday in Abuja.
He said, “The ministry will work with governors to harness mineral resources for maximum socio-economic development of the country.
“Nasarawa State is very significant in terms of the development of the mineral sector, and we are putting the mechanisms together.
“We want to make sure that the nation derives maximum benefits from this God given gift of minerals that are in abundance in Nigeria.”
Alaka, who described solid minerals as the next petroleum in Nigeria, assured that the nation would harness and utilise the resources efficiently and effectively.
The minister, however, emphasised the need for effective synergy and coordination in all the dynamics surrounding minerals exploration, exploitation and judicious utilisation of the resources.