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Alake, Nasarawa Governor Strengthen Collaboration on Mining Sector Development
_Alake Hints on FEC Committee to Secure Natural Resources_
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has described Nasarawa state as a worthy partner in the drive to develop mineral resources in Nasarawa state and Nigeria at large.
Speaking while receiving Nasarawa state Governor, Abdullahi Sule on Thursday in his office, Alake stated that the Governor has provided immense support for the Lithium factory undergoing construction in Nasarawa state, emphasizing that the state has led the way in fostering partnership with the Federal Government for solid minerals development.
“The Governor has been very supportive of the solid minerals sector, not because his state is a solid minerals state, but because he’s an engineer, he is a technical person. He understands the dynamics of the sector, and I commend his efforts”, Alake emphasized.
The governor, in his remarks, lauded the minister for leading the charge for the resurgence of the mining sector and facilitating the state’s acquisition of gold, tin, and lithium mining licenses. He noted that his visit was to brief his host on the on-going construction of the gigantic lithium factory and also compare notes on what the ministry is doing to secure mining sites and develop the mining sector in the country.
“I want to show great appreciation to the Honourable Minister because recently, Nasarawa state obtained three licenses. One is an area where there is a possibility of gold deposit, another area where there is lithium deposit, and the third site where there is a tin deposit. I come from the private sector, and I understand how the public sector doesn’t become so efficient in the management of this venture, so we have Public Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangements. Which implies we are going to have partners and we have some level of equity participation that will ensure the state gets maximum benefits”, Gov. Sule added.
In addition, Dr. Alake revealed that discussions also touched on the unfortunate Ibadan explosion incident stressing that while investigation is still ongoing, the ministry is very circumspect in laying a cause at a very specific doorstep.
“We can not be categorical about a cause now. We have quite a number of reports flying all over the place. We cannot rely on speculation, so we have to wait for an efficient forensic analysis of the unfortunate incident, but that also underscores the security around our country, generally, which Mr. President has been very fastidious about. There was a committee that was set up at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), yesterday, to coordinate security around our natural resources, including minerals, forests, and the marine economy. The committee will start meeting from tomorrow, and we will be giving updates”, the Minister asserted.
On Governor Abdullahi Sule’s entourage were former Governor Tanko Al-Makura, Attorney-General of Nasarawa State, Abdulkarim Kana amongst others.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources Authority says it has commenced a clampdown on illegal LPG retail outlets in Akwa Ibom State.
The state Coordinator, Ikechukwu Eseka, disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Bakshar Hussaini, in his office on a courtesy visit.
He said, “We have started enforcement of LPG retailers embarking on illegal decanting of LPG, filling stations, LPG refilling plants and other illegal downstream operations in the state.
“We are currently working on the illegal proliferation of decanting of LPG in the state, Eseka stated, adding that gas is very volatile, and some of them are using gas that is not meant for the purpose.”
He said he has directed that gas plant owners should not load gas on people who don’t have licenses NMDPRA in the state, warning that “decanting of gas from cylinder to cylinder is an illegal activity which is punishable by law.”
He also called on marketers to register and renew their licenses before operating LPG in the state.
“We used the opportunity to talk on the aspects of the downstream which has to do with our enforcement, sealing of filling stations and those who are using diesel for industrial purposes that are yet to register with NMDPRA.
“We have also commenced engagement with individuals and organisations using storage tanks that are over 500 litres, to come and register with the Authority in the state,” he added.
Eseka thanked the Commandant for coming to re-strategise and collaborate with the Authority in the state.
Earlier, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Hussaini, explained that the purpose of coming was to collaborate with NMDPRA on how to checkmate indiscriminate decanting of LPG in the state.
“I know with the present situation in the country, a lot of them are going to cry and you have to use human face to handle their cases so that we don’t injure the government and the public themselves,” he said.
He lamented that some people used their houses to sell cooking gas which can cause environmental hazards to the public.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced plans to phase out the Permanent Voter Cards, PVC.
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs, held at the INEC Conference Room, Abuja on Thursday.
This was part of the identified 142 recommendations released by the Commission which deals with the general state of preparedness, voter management, voter education and public communication, political parties and candidate management.
Other areas of recommendation include electoral operations and logistics management, election officials and personnel, partnership and collaboration, monitoring and supervision, election technology, voting and result management, election security, electoral offences and the electoral legal framework.
The Chairman said there are eight recommendations among the 142 which require legislative action by the National Assembly.
“The Commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVC, as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed.
He, however, said that those who already have the Permanent Voter Cards can still use them to vote.
He added, “But going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the Commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation. ”
Yakubu said this new development will save costs and further eliminate the issues around the collection of Permanent Voter Cards.
He also said the practice of buying up the Permanent Voter Cards from voters to disenfranchise them, would be reduced.
President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to present the 2025 proposed budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session, revealing that the President has sent a communication to that effect.
“The president has made his intention known to the National Assembly to present the 2025m budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on the 17th of December, 2024,” he said.
The proposed budget, totalling N47.9 trillion, was earlier announced by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu.
NMDPRA begins clampdown on illegal LPG retail outlets in Akwa Ibom
Elections in Nigeria: There’ll be no more need for voter cards – INEC
BREAKING: Tinubu to present 2025 budget proposal to National Assembly Tuesday
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