The Progressive Miners Association of Nigeria is seeking the development of the solid mineral sector, which they said has the capacity to generate over two million jobs.
The association called on the Federal Government to shift attention to the sector, as it also has the capacity of increasing government’s revenue.
The National President of the association, Mr Sunny Ekozin, told Channels Television that lack of attention from the government had led to underdevelopment and loss of huge revenue from the sector.
He asks the government to diversify into the sector, as a better revenue alternative for government especially in the face of falling crude oil prices.
A large number of Nigerian graduates are without jobs and the association is of the opinion that the development of the solid mineral sector could provide jobs to most of the unemployed persons and alleviate their struggle to live above poverty line.
On Friday, the Federal Government said it was projecting a revenue of over 250 billion Naira from the solid mineral sector in 2016.
The projection was made by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at his ministry’s budget defence.
Nigeria depends largely on crude oil sales for its revenue generation, but the falling price of crude oil is forcing the government to consider shifting focus to other viable sectors.