By Ambrose NNAJI
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative(NEITI) has described low revenue contribution to the economy from the solid minerals sector as unacceptable considering the existence of abundant mineral resources that are spread all over the country.
The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji stated this while playing host to members of Executive of the Miners Association of
Nigeria (MAN) led by its President, Kabiru Muhammed.
Ogbonnaya said: “From findings of NEITI’s audit reports, mining sector currently contribute less than one percent to the country
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Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is unacceptable, considering the quantum and variety of mineral resources spread all over Nigeria”.
“We are aware that the sector is dominated by artisanal and small scale miners, and we have advised government through recommendations contained in our reports to devise means to formalize operations of this category of miners to enable them contribute to the
development of the sector and the economy. I am aware that this process has commenced by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. We need this to be hastened,” he stated.
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