Government approves N1.5bn for mineral survey

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October 21, 2016 10:38 AM

The state's Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources disclosed this during the ongoing ministerial briefing in Sokoto

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Sokoto State Government has approved over N1.5 billion for a state-wide Accelerated Mineral Reconnaissance Survey in the state.

Alhaji Bello Goronyo, Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources disclosed this during the ongoing ministerial briefing on Thursday in Sokoto.

Goronyo explained that the project was given to Shenzhen Investment Group (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. with a view to find out locations, depth and wideness of the available minerals found in the state.

He said the ministry was made to know that Sokoto State has the potentials of both solid minerals and fundamental traces of hydrocarbon in its environs.

“The state Government is making arrangement to aid the continuity of the project for the overall benefit of Sokoto state and the country in general."

The commissioner said that the state would train stakeholders in the Mining Industry to enhance their capacity.

Goronyo said the present administration has intensified effort to train and equip artisan miners to build their capacity for increased quantity and quality mineral output.

According to him, this will enhance the quality of these products in order to guarantee market accessibility.

The Commissioner added that, the government also has the intention of establishing Sokoto state Industrial Training Centre.

He said the centre will assist in training the teeming unemployed youth in gold processing, breaking and polishing of gem stones and other mining related small scale business.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the media briefing was organised by state chapter of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in conjunction with the state Ministry of Information.

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