Edo State has a huge potential for solid minerals exploration, as it ranks third in the number of mining licenses in the country, behind only Kaduna and Nasarawa. To tap into this opportunity, the state government is keen to partner with stakeholders in the mining industry to increase production and investment.
This was revealed by the Edo State Commissioner for Mining, Oil and Gas, Hon. Ethan Uzamere, at a 2-Day Stakeholders Meeting held recently. He said the state government was looking into model Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements to enhance productivity and efficiency in the sector.
He urged all stakeholders to work together to harness the potentials in the sector, saying: “This forum is an opportunity to understand where we were, where we are, and what is required to move the sector forward.
“To close these gaps, we need to seriously consider creating a state mining policy, enhancing the value of the licenses that investors have already received from Edo State, and utilizing the entire extent of the state’s security framework to ensure production levels.
“We are already pushing for more public-private partnership arrangements, utilizing the harmonized revenue system, and working to reduce the number of illegal operations in the sector.”
He also gave the stakeholders his word that the state government would do everything in its power to maintain a well-organized mineral mining industry, which is essential to the government’s diversification goals. He continued by saying that in the near future, mining is probably going to surpass crude oil exploration as the leading industry for employment and income.
