By Timothy Ekpo
UYO
Akwa Ibom government has said that it is determined to align with the federal government’s vision to develop and explore the abundant solid minerals deposits in the State.
The governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, stated this during the 61st Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), which took place in Uyo, recently.
Represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, at the event, which had as its theme: “Optimising Efficiency Sustainability and Resilience in Resources Management and Infrastructure Development”, the governor stated that the resolve of his government to explore solid minerals was towards diversifying from crude oil to solid minerals.
Eno listed available solid minerals endowment in the state to include silica lithium, glass sand, zinc, limestone, and others that could be tapped to boost the state and nation’s economy.
He noted that the mining sector was a key area in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and was therefore necessary that the theme of the conference would give room to mining and geo-scientists to distill key elements to help policy makers in the mining sector to unlock deeper the economic potential of the sector.
Eno noted that beyond natural endorsement, Akwa Ibom presently is nationally considered as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, and was open to all forms of investment, having developed world-class infrastructure including a commercial airline, the Ibom Air.
The state chief executive informed the conference that his administration was strategically positioning the state for more sustainable growth beyond oil with deep emphasis on tourism, and before the end of the year hoped to commission one of the most tourism impacted project in Nigeria, the ARISE Park Resort.
Eno stressed that when commissioned, the project would be the best family theme resort in the nation, and informed the conference that his administration has sought the services of geo scientists in the execution of projects in the state.
The governor urged them to take a tour to see the wonderful work done by government to reclaim the ravine that was at the verge of submerging the Government House and other infrastructure within the location.
On the conference deliberation, Eno said he was sure that the cream of professionals assembled, would accomplish the task in distilling key elements of the topic, and come up with conclusions that would assist policy makers in the mining sector to unlock deeper the economic potential of the sector.
National President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Ms Rose Ndong, said the NMGS has influence across crucial sectors in national and sub national economy with membership cutting across multiple phases of mining, geo-sciences, oil and gas, water, and environmental sciences.
She explained that they were in Uyo based on the critical need of the developer community, and applauded President Bola Tinubu for the tremendous support his administration has given the extractive sector.
Ndong stressed that President Tinubu had maintained the tradition of past heads of state’s recognition of the unique role of the society in national development since its formation in 1961, adding that the theme was not only timely but critical to address the urgency to examine how the nation could explore ways and processes to bring the needed efficiency to manage the insufficient resources available and obtain maximum benefits.
The NMGS president maintained that experts in the field of geo sciences, mining engineering were selected to proffer the way forward, with various sub themes of the conference to address the challenges hindering efficiency in the mining sectors.
Ndong said presentations would focus on the utilisation of advance technology and innovations as driven by AI, the role of geo-scientists and mining engineers in the execution of infrastructure, projects such as dams, roads, bridges, and the utilisation of geo science information to solve millions of flooding, food security, and water foundation.
High-point of the event was the presentation of awards to the governor, Pastor Umo Eno and his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.
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