As part of its plan to diversify the economy of the federal republic of Nigeria from oil and gas to agriculture and Mineral resources, the federal government has declared its intention to regulate over 44 mineral resources markets in the country.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite disclosed this in his address during a Mineral Surveillance Program Tour to Oyo state.
According to the minister, plans are already underway to get International and local investors interested in mining in the country and make it a profitable venture for both the government and the miners.
Arch. Adegbite further revealed that the federal government is interested in the Oyo state gemstone market, noting that necessary machinery has been put in motion to regulate it and site an economy hub gemstone center in Ibadan.
In his remark, Governor Seyi Makinde lauded the federal government’s plan to regulate the Gemstone market via an economy hub center but appealed that the federal government pays close attention to the Igbeti mining company and find a lasting solution to the syndrome of illegal miners in the country.
Earlier, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite paid on the spot assessment visits to some of the mineral deposits in Oyo state and assured the federal government’s intervention at some of the moribund mineral sites.