…Solid minerals represent a significant economic opportunity, especially as we look to diversify Nigeria’s economy,” Mbah said.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged the Nigerian government to increase state-level involvement in the exploration and development of solid minerals to fully unlock the sector’s vast potential and drive economic diversification, The iNews Times reports.
Speaking on Tuesday during a visit by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development to the Government House in Enugu, Governor Mbah emphasized the urgent need to address illegal mining and better harness dormant mineral resources across the country.
“Solid minerals represent a significant economic opportunity, especially as we look to diversify Nigeria’s economy,” Mbah said. “There must be more inclusion of states in the exploitation and management of these resources. Many mineral-rich areas are either left undeveloped or are being exploited illegally, and this must stop.”
He called on the Senate to help clarify legal conflicts around mining rights – particularly between the Nigerian Inland Waterways Act and the Mining Act, which he said have created confusion over who controls sand mining along coastal regions.
The governor also stressed the importance of up-to-date geospatial data to attract serious investors into the mining sector.
“One of the biggest obstacles to full exploration of our mineral wealth is outdated or insufficient data. Even when data exists, it’s not enough to support informed investment decisions,” he explained. “Clear responsibilities and well-defined benefits will attract major investors to the sector.”
Governor Mbah pledged Enugu State’s full cooperation with the federal government and the National Assembly in efforts to revamp the solid minerals sector.
Earlier, Senator Ekong Sampson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, affirmed Enugu’s strategic significance in Nigeria’s mineral landscape.
“Enugu has a rich mineral profile, including coal in Udi, limestone in Nkanu and Oji River, iron ore in Nsukka and Ogbete, and silica and laterite in various parts of the state,” he said. “These resources offer major opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic development.”
Senator Sampson praised Governor Mbah’s efforts in advancing mineral development in the state and assured him of the Senate’s commitment to working closely with Enugu in shaping effective policies and frameworks aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Together, we’ll craft laws and build a supportive environment that fosters sustainable growth in Nigeria’s mining industry,” the senator concluded.
