Mr Musa Sada, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, says the Federal Government will collaborate with the Canadian Government to develop in the country’s mining sector.
Sada said this in Abuja on Tuesday when the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jean Gauthier, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
“I wish to register our unreserved appreciation for all the efforts you are putting to help us develop this important sector of the Nigerian economy.
“As you are aware, one of the responsibilities that this ministry is saddled with is trying to create avenues for diversification of the country’s economy in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda,” he said.
“Apart from oil and gas, the steel and solid mineral sector is being looked at as a viable alternative.
“The expectation is for us to play a major role in seeing that the sources of income for the country are expanded,” Sada added.
He said the nation had the enabling environment and a good legal framework, on which the development of the mining industry could thrive.
Sada said the ministry had worked out a programme for Nigeria’s participation in the forthcoming Canadian Trade Convention, after getting President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval to showcase the country’s resources in bitumen.
He, therefore, called for more assistance from the Canadian High Commission to identify the real investors to contact during the convention which is scheduled for March.
Mr Jean Gauthier, the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, noted Nigeria’s potential in the mining industry and gave assurance that investors from Canada would be coming to invest in Nigeria.
He said the essence of their visit would be to explore areas in the country’s mineral sector to invest in.
Gauthier added that the Canadian government was looking forward to seeing Nigerian contingents during the Canadian trade convention.
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