Delta State, Federal Govt Partner on Solid Minerals Development
- Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has said his administration is willing to work with the federal government
- The governor specifically noted that such partnership is good to develop the solid mineral sector
- Governor Okowa also called for the participation of the private sector in the sector
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Delta governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday, April 15 said his administration was willing to partner with the federal government to develop the solid mineral sector in the state.
Okowa stated this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after receiving the minister of mines and steel development, Dr. Uche Ogah, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.
He said he was pleased with the minister's visit and that there was a need for a strong collaboration between the federal government, the states, and the private sector to develop the solid minerals industry.
Source: Twitter
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Okowa noted that if the sector was developed, states and the federal government would have fewer revenue challenges as they currently depended on oil minerals alone to develop the country.
A statement sent to Legit.ng by the Delta state governor quoted the governor as saying:
“He has already briefed me on what is going on in some states and I have also told him about some actions we are already taking and our attempt to undertake a public-private-partnership in the development of Kaolin in the state while looking into other areas.
“He has reassured that whatever assistance is needed that they are willing to deal with that and we are quite happy with that.”
Earlier, the minister said that he was in Delta state to brief the governor on his ministry's commitment to the development of the solid minerals sector.
He said:
“I believe that we have had a very wonderful meeting and I must thank Governor Okowa for his assurance of the collaboration between the federal government and the state government.”
Meanwhile, Governor Okowa has called on the federal government to use 25 percent of funds expended on fuel subsidies to provide health insurance for vulnerable Nigerians.
Okowa made the call on Friday, March 19 when he received the minister of state for health, Dr. Olurunnimbe Mamora, who visited him at Government House, Asaba.
In a related development, Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, March 16 intensified the call for upward review of the 13 percent derivation formula, saying it had remained inadequate for the development of the south-south region of Nigeria.
Obaseki made the call while speaking with journalists after inaugurating Effurun-Otor-Ovwor-Olomu bridge and the rehabilitated 34-km Otu-Jeremi-Okwagbe road in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state, executed by Governor Okowa.
Source: Legit.ng
