Sequel to the dwindling in the price of crude oil, an expert in the Mining Industry,  Abdullahi  Usman, popularly called   “Dan China”, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari  to ensure the inclusion of
the Mining and Minerals sector in his developmental agenda, say if properly harnessed, it will generate 5 times what the country is getting from crude oil.

Usman made the call in a chat with Journalists in Jos, Thursday. According to him, “Nigeria is blessed with so many mineral deposits and if the sector is properly harnessed, it will generate foreign revenue for the country five times more than Crude Oil.

He said if this is done it would create job opportunities for thousands of youths in the country.
“As the price of crude oil continues to nose dive, I’m calling on the Federal Government to invest in the mining sector as it has the much needed diversification of the economy from oil and this can be
achieved with deliberate commitment to utilizing the mass deposit of solid Minerals in virtually every state in the country.

“There are so many mineral deposits in the country that are not known  and still lying untapped, for instance Iron Ore and zircon Sand has large deposits in the country and if properly tapped has the capacity
to generate revenue for the country more than crude oil. He stressed.

The Mining expert further called on the President Buhari, to encourage indigenous Miners to enable them develops the Mining sector.

He advised the government to stop the drive to bring foreign investors into the country to do what Nigerians could ordinary do on their own.

“We have veteran Miners that can guide us to do all that we need to do. If we depend largely on foreign investors in mining, we are not going to progress, but if government empowers local miners and give
them necessary incentives, I think the sky will be our limit and a lot an be achieved in the mining sector”. He assured.

“Only Mining can give all the services and the employment we need in this country”. Usman stressed.

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Mining Expert Urges Buhari to Include Mining Sector in the Nation’s Development Plan