Yobe State Launches Major Initiative to Transform Mining Sector
Yobe State Government has taken a significant step toward diversifying its economy through a comprehensive mining development program, marked by a high-level Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum and the signing of multiple strategic partnerships.
The forum, themed “Building Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Mining and Industrial Growth in Yobe State,” brought together key players from government, industry, and technical sectors to develop strategies for harnessing the state’s abundant mineral resources, including limestone, gypsum, kaolin, granite, quartz, silica, trona, and diatomite.
Governor Mai Mala Buni, addressing the gathering, emphasized the urgency of transforming these natural resources into economic advantages. “For decades, these gifts of nature have remained largely underutilized,” he stated, outlining a vision for job creation, wealth generation, and socio-economic development.
The initiative gained technical backing from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), whose Director General, Professor Olusegun Omoniyi, highlighted Yobe’s potential for economic diversification through its rich mineral deposits. He stressed the importance of partnership among stakeholders for successful development.
A significant outcome of the forum was the signing of memoranda of understanding with four companies: GeoScan Technology Limited, Revolve Mining Company, Deep Strata, and Minepro and Energy. These agreements, signed by Yobe Mining Development Company’s Managing Director, Engr. Bamodu Yerima, aim to advance exploration and value addition in the state’s mineral sector.
The Yobe Mining Development Company Limited (YMDCL), under Chairman Engr. M.A.K. Abubakar, will serve as the central coordinator for mineral exploration activities. The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), represented by President Ms. Rose Chundung Ndong, pledged professional support for sustainable mining practices.
The forum’s concluding communique acknowledged Yobe’s vast mineral potential, including metallic, non-metallic, and energy minerals, while noting the current limited scale of mining operations. It emphasized the need for detailed exploration studies, infrastructure development, and continuous engagement with local communities and traditional institutions.
GeoScan Technology Limited’s CEO, Ulrich Eichhorn, expressed commitment to partnering with Yobe for comprehensive mineral exploration and revenue optimization.
Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, Investment, Tourism, and Solid Minerals, Hon. Kaigama Umar Yunusari, reinforced the government’s dedication to creating an inclusive and investor-friendly mining sector, aligning with federal policies while promoting local processing industries.
This initiative represents Yobe State’s strategic move toward economic diversification, with a focus on sustainable development and community benefit through responsible mining practices. The state’s commitment to transforming its mineral wealth into economic prosperity marks a significant shift from traditional dependence on federal allocations.
Leave a Comment