By Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the Niger state government says that the restructuring of the state’s mining sector will put the state on the map for sustainable development.
The state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago stated this on Thursday when he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a gold market in the state.
The project, which is sponsored by Al-istiqama Integrated Services Ltd in partnership with the Niger state government is situated at the Kure Ultra Modern Market, in Minna.
The governor said that the approval for the construction of the market was in line with the focus of his administration to restructure the mining sector in the state.
Bago noted that the state has been blessed with an abundance of gold among many other minerals but its potentials were yet to be fully harnessed.
According to him, about N1.2 billion worth of gold is traded daily in the state with the state government having no benefit from the turnover.
He stressed that the temporary halting of mining activities in the state by the government was aimed at sanitizing the mining industry in the state.
In his remark, the Managing Director of Al-Istiqama Integrated Services Limited, Ibrahim Shuaibu Dankaka said that the initiative was aimed at boosting the gold business in the state.
He said that the company has observed keen interest on the part of the Niger state governor to support investors, particularly by addressing the insecurity in the state.
He announced plans to invest more in the state owing to the commitment observed on the part of the state governor.
In his remark, the chairman of Chanchaga local government area, Aminu Ladan disclosed that over 150 youth have been engaged in the project.
“This project is a catalyst that will spur the resurgence of the Kure Ultra Modern Market and pave the way for new businesses to grow,” he said.
