Nigeria offers states more control over minerals to avoid repeat of Niger Delta crisis

State governments with solid mineral deposits in their domains can now acquire mining licenses and develop the resources under the new road map for the sector, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, has said.

Mr. Fayemi, who said this in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, said the road map also confers special role for the communities hosting the mineral deposits in the country.

“If any state has gold, and the government thinks it will be best harnessed by managing it in partnership with a private technical partner, there is nothing in the law prohibiting the state from establishing its special purpose vehicle for mining operations and approaching the mining cadastral office of the ministry for a license, as long as the land is free and unencumbered,” the minister said.

Premium Times, October 15th

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