Mining activities in Nigeria will create a significant number of jobs and boost the country’s revenue generation capacity, if well managed, says Mr Auwal Bununu, President of the Gold Miners Processors and Producers Association (GMPPA).
Bununu made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the sector would motivate industrial growth and the local sourcing of raw materials, and enhance the quality of life in rural communities.
According to him, a well-managed mining sector, will reduce poverty, increase youth employment, provide infrastructure, healthcare, food security, environmental management and climate change.
“We need the resources to address all these problems, as the government needs to develop mining industries, to be able to achieve economic development.
“Through their direct operations, mining companies can generate profits, employment and economic growth, partnering with government and civil society to ensure that benefits of mining extend beyond the life of the mine itself.
“The mining industry has a positive impact on the natural environment, climate change, and social capital,’’ he said.
Bununu said the association was evolving private sector partnerships for mineral and metal development, adding that the effort would generate revenue, attract investment, as well as promote trading in the country.
He said that the association had reached out to almost all the mining countries to achieve its goals.
Bununu said that the association had also gathered all the mining operators under one umbrella, adding that the essence of the move was to transform and diversify the country`s economy.
“Mining-dependent countries need to transform and diversify their economies, achieve higher living standards and reduce poverty and manage expectations of an increasingly informed population.
“That is why we are trying to ensure that we achieve the objectives. We want to make sure we leave a decent legacy for future generations,” he said.
The mining association scribe called on private sector operators to be commercially active and ensure they collaborate strongly with the government for a thriving industry.
