The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that his administration will ensure the development of its mining sector, particularly solid mineral resources, towards the successful implementation of the ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda.

Abiodun made this assertion in Lagos at an investment conference and exhibition organised by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development with the theme; Mobilising Domestic Mining Investments for Sustainable Economic Growth.

 Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Governor said the conference would serve as a veritable platform to cross-fertilise ideas and create new frontiers in the development of solid mineral industry for economic growth and prosperity of its citizenry.

While calling for genuine partnership in developing the sector, Abiodun pointed out that about 16 mineral resources of high economic value, especially limestone is available in commercial quantities in the 20 Local Government Areas of the State.

He commended the Ministry for conceptualising the event, saying it would help in the diversification drive, to further develop the non-oil sector, advising them to come up with practical recommendations to improve and further develop the solid mineral sub-sector of Nigeria.

Contributing, his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Lere Odusote, said reliance on oil alone could not be sufficient for the development of the country, hence the need to diversify into other sectors to achieve economic advancement.

In his address, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch.  Olamilekan Adegbite, noted that Nigerians have not explored the potentials in mining, saying the country has a robust regulating system that had been tested and found to meet the expectation of global best practices.

Adegbite added that the Ministry had reinvigorated its mining institutions to support the mining investment communities, saying effort would be intensified to reduce the risk associated with the sector and create ecosystem for ease of doing business.

In his presentation, the guest speaker, Dr. Ayo Teriba, advised the Ministry to focus on investment opportunities and it values, for the progress of the nation.