Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is fully committed to focusing on the proper exploration and utilisation of the neglected huge deposits of Solid Mineral Resources in the state.
To actualise this positive visionary thought, the Governor established a Ministry with a mandate to generate more revenues and ensure prudence Environmental Impact Assessment across the state.
Commissioner, Ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources Alhaji Safiyanu Hamza disclosed this Monday in the conference hall of the ministry while having an interactive meeting with Professor Harriet Chiemeze, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Green Earth Group Ltd, a company looking for a working synergy with the ministry in developing the sector.
The Commissioner who appreciated the continued support of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the ministry, however described solid minerals exploration as a capital intensive project that really needs collaborative efforts to checkmate dormant mining licences.
According to him, such dormancy gives way to artisanal mining and other security challenges in the host communities.
He assured the visiting Professor and her team readiness to have a joint action plan or memorandum of understanding that would lead to creating a value chain addition in the sector which is a paramount target the ministry wants to achieve and to ensure Miners remain environmentally friendly.
The Group Managing Director and as well, a Kano born Professor Engineer Harriet Chiemeze pledged that as soon as the Government commitment in this direction is satisfactory, the company is ever ready to speed up in providing funding partners from countries like China, America and Switzerland to develop the sector efficiently and effectively.
Dr. Garba Ibrahim, a team member of the Green Earth Group lamented the extreme minimal number of Kano State indigenes that study Geology or environmental related disciplines in the universities and pointed out that the situation remains a major obstacle to the solid minerals exploration and development in the state.
He urged the state government to urgently do the needful towards increasing the enrollment.
Director Solid Minerals Exploration, Muhammad Bala conducted the visiting group round the Solid Minerals samples show glass of the Ministry.
Alongside the Commissioner, Permanent Secretary Engineer Mansur Yakubu all Directors and some senior staff of the ministry were present during the interactive meeting as well Professor Saminu Murtala Yakasai on the side of the visiting group.
