The Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, has advised mining operators across the country to carry out responsible mining for the benefit of all.
Ogah gave the advice in a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs Etore Thomas on Monday Abuja.
The minister said this when he paid a facility tour of BUA cement, Okpella in Edo during a three-day working visit to the state.
According to him, there is the need for operators in the sector to exhibit and maintain good relationship with their host mining communities.
According to him, operating within Mining Extant Laws will engender peaceful coexistence between operators and host communities.
Ogah urged operators to maintain cordial relationship with host communities for enhanced production, adding that it would be of immense benefit to the Federal Government as well as create jobs for Nigerians.
Ogah noted that the interaction with mining operators would enable government to know their challenges and ways to proffer solutions.
He reiterated the ministry’s commitment toward helping mining operators to succeed.
The minister of state also urged the management of BUA to consider the request of the community and provide them with a mast for cellular services.
Also speaking, the Plant Director of BUA, Mr Ahmed Idris said that 98 per cent of raw materials being used for production of cement were sourced within the vicinity.
He said that the plant had two lines with a production capacity of three million tonnes each, adding that the company was planning to have more lines of production.
The minister also visited Okpella cement, (Dangote) and Zhong xin quarry all located in the northern part of the state. (NAN)
