Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Ethan Uzamere has sued for more collaborations between federal and state governments and other key players in the solid mineral industry in order to explore and maximally reap the benefits in the sector.

Hon. Uzamere made this known while speaking with the Media Officer of the Ministry immediately after meeting with the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, MIREMCO, in his office in Benin.

Hon. Uzamere said the ease of doing business reform of the state government has opened up the state for Miners and other investors to come and do business in the state which in turn will result in more derivations from federal government.

” Meetings like this are necessary because the Ministry deals with assets that are constitutionally owned by the federal government. However, collaborations between the state and federal government is important for us to increase our mineral derivations from the federal government.

“We are losing revenue from crude oil and it’s time for government to focus on other assets like solid minerals to generate more revenue”.

The Chairman of Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, Mr. Daniel Inneh commended Hon. Uzamere for his cooperation and level of understanding of the solid mineral sector.

Mr. Inneh said solutions were proffered to grey areas in their operational activities that were highlighted and assured that every cooperation required will be provided for the greater good of the state.

On his part, the Zonal Mining officer, South-South, Engr. Abdulkadri said the mining sector of the state is improving as solutions to the issue of double taxation and consent of communities to operators were put forward at the meeting.