The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, revealed that the state generated 3.7 million tonnes of solid mineral products overall in 2021 and demanded more investment from private parties to improve productivity.
At a two-day gathering of Solid Minerals Stakeholders hosted by the Ministry of Mining, Oil, and Gas in collaboration with the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, Obaseki revealed this information yesterday in Benin City.
Before his administration, Edo produced the sixth-most solid minerals, but thanks to improvements in the business environment, the state has moved up to the fourth place, according to the governor, who was represented by the state commissioner for finance, Joseph Eboigbe.
He said: “The mineral production statistics 2021 released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that Edo State achieved a combined output of 3.7 million tons of mineral products and we believe we can do better.
“As a state government, we are well aware of the provisions of the constitution, the Nigerian Mineral and Mining Act of 2007 and other relevant regulations governing the mining sector with respect to roles of the federal and state governments. It should be emphasized that there are opportunities that fall within the concurrent jurisdiction.
“This provides the opportunity for the state to act and further enhance the sector as mining has the capacity to provide jobs in a manner comparable to agriculture. Our people can become gainfully employed through activities in the mining sector, hence, we are not deterred. There are ways that we can extract value at the level of the state.”
The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing a conducive business environment for investors, noting: “Edo State will continue to provide a conducive business environment for legitimate miners to thrive because if the sector grows, Edo State will grow.
“There’s no gain saying the fact that a well-organised mineral sector is key to the diversification policies of the government. Mining may, in the near future, overtake crude oil exploration in national discourse.”