The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has expressed the readiness of his administration to provide the much needed political will in developing the solid mineral sector of the state for socioeconomic development, especially in the face of the dwindling revenue from oil.
He made the promise in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the opening ceremony of a two-day Geological Week of the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, held at the Oba’s Complex in the State Capital.
The Governor said that resolutions reached at the occasion would form the road map for the development of the sector which seems to have been neglected by succeeding administrations in the State.
He then challenged experts and participants to come out with workable recommendations that would form the road map for the development of the sector.
One of the participants and also a lecturer in the University of Ibadan, Olugbenga Okunola, stated that papers were being presented by resource persons in the areas of petroleum and hydrocarbon potential of Ogun State, and effective solid mineral development with emphasis on favourable government policies, favourable mining laws and security among others.
The Ogun State commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru, also added that Ogun State’s abundance of mineral resources, which remained untapped, hold the key to its economic development, especially in the face of the dwindling prices of crude in the international market.
It is, however, believed that while Government is looking into the solid mineral sector, activities of players would be adequately checked to safeguard the environment from further degradation.
