Emmanuel Kehinde, Ilorin
Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has commenced the Geo Physical survey and data capturing of mineral resources in Kwara state.
The capturing process which started in Ilorin, the state capital and its environs on Monday, would include seven local government areas of the state.
The local governments are Ilorin West, Oyun, Asa, Oke Ero, Moro and Irepodun.
The Deputy Project Coordinator, Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MINDIVER) of the Ministry, Mallam Abba Usman, during the sensitisation said that the need to sensitize people on airborne survey became necessary to discourage panic when aircraft fly at lower altitude for the data capturing.
He said the survey which is starting in Kwara will be replicated in 18 other states of the federation.
Mallam Usman, who allayed fears of residents of Kwara state over the airborne survey activities, said that the activities would not cause any harm to either farm crops or property.
The mining expert, who highlighted benefits of the project, said that it would encourage investment and generate high number of employment opportunities to the state.
“Mining is a capital intensive venture, thus, investigation is necessary for mineral exploitation.
”And since these mineral deposits are buried deep down in the soil, investigation is necessary to be done in order not to caus damage as against when done based on assumption.
“After the data gathering, you can know where the mineral resources are located and what type of mineral resources are deposited, and investors can only come to areas where the minerals are located.
”The data would help investors to make decisions as lack of accurate data had discouraged investors before now”, he said.
Usman, who emphasised the need to sensitize people of Kwara state on the intention to capture data of mineral resources in Kwara, said that the activities may generate panic among people if they are not well informed.
“The selected 19 states were chosen based on outcome of previous survey carried out between 2003 and 2011.
”This time around, the airborne survey would reveal high level of detail, as aircraft with yellow marks would fly closer to the ground, like 50m to the ground to bring closer vision which may bring panic to people.
“This is more so as mining requires appropriate data, Kwara state government has made efforts to get investors to the state as the state is well endowed with mineral resources.
”There is the need to get data which investors can bank on and invest in towards sustainable development of the state,” the coordinator said.
Engr. Abdulrahman Ottan, Chairman, Kwara State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIRECO), said this exercise was very essential because “mining is an expensive venture that requires appropriate data for proper planning.”
”This is means to de-risk the investment, going by the nature of mining investment worldwide.
”So, because of the solid mineral potential of Kwara and the other 19 states involved, that is why the World Bank is financing this project coded as MINDIVER to be able to collect Geo data that will enhance the development of mining in Nigeria.
Kwara state Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Hajia Fatima Arinola Lawal, represented by a Director in the ministry, Hajia Habiba Saidu, said that success of the project would discourage dependence on federal allocation and encourage additional revenue sources for the state.
The other states involved in the survey are Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Bauchi and the FCT.
Experts identify solid mineral resources of over 40 million tonne deposits in Nigeria, including; talc Iron Ore.Lead/Zinc.Bentonite and Baryte. Gold, Bitumen, Coal Gypsum. Gypsum found in Niger, Osun, Kogi, Ogun and Kaduna states.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
