FG pledges to stop illicit mining and give 30 master jeweller trainees more power

The Federal Government pledged on Thursday to stop unlawful mining and give 30 master jewellers trainees the tools they need to develop job opportunities.

This was said in Abuja at the graduation ceremony and starter pack presentation for the third batch of graduates of the jewelry-making training programme by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake.

The World Bank Assisted Mindiver Project and the government collaborated to organise the programme.

He claims that with the effective assistance of security agencies, the Federal Government, through the ministry, reiterates its commitment and determination to end unlawful mining.

Under President Bola Tinubu’s government, there will be political will and firmness to put an end to the threat of illegal mining, which has weakened and robbed the nation of significant money.

No matter who is responsible for this economic crime, business as usual will no longer exist because the ministry will collaborate with other pertinent agencies to address the problem.

According to Alake, the ministry’s initiative to teach the 30 master jewellers was a powerful capacity-building assistance for the endeavour to diversify the economy.

He claimed that master jewellers were extremely talented craftspeople who made jewellery.

In light of Nigeria’s enormous potential to significantly impact the world market for jewelry-making, he claimed that Nigerians have no business purchasing jewellery elsewhere.

“The sector that generates the majority of the country’s revenue is solid minerals. It is currently Nigeria’s upcoming petroleum.

It is well known that Nigeria, with its sizable population, offers tremendous potential for the jewellery industry.

It is crucial to establish a local jewellery sector that can adequately satisfy regional demand for jewellery goods.

According to him, the indigenous jewels industry will improve import substitution, generate employment, and raise the value of Nigeria’s gemstones and jewellery as an export.

The minister commended the graduates for successfully completing the programme.

He claimed, “I believe that the jewellery sector, when fully harnessed, may considerably contribute to national economic growth by producing a significant amount of job possibilities.

Dr. Mary Ogbe, the ministry’s permanent secretary, praised the minister for his invaluable assistance in seeing the empowerment initiative through to completion during his brief tenure there.

Mohammed Suleiman, Director of the Ministry’s Human Resource Management Department, acted as Ogbe’s representative.

The downstream value addition policy has been given priority by the ministry, according to Project Coordinator (Mindiver) Mr. Sallim Salaam, who also noted that jewellery creation is one of the techniques for putting the downstream value addition policy into practise. (NAN)(