Yobe unveils road map to develop solid minerals boost employment, IGR
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
The Yobe State Government has commenced the development of a road map for the exploitation of abundant solid minerals to boost employment and internally generated revenues (IGR).
The state Commissioner of Solid Minerals, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Kaigama Umar disclosed this while speaking during the unveiling the road map, on Monday in Damaturu.
“Today’s tender bids among five solid minerals firms, was to produce a comprehensive road map for the exploitation of mineral resources that abound in the state.
The commissioner noted that despite the vast deposit mineral resources, including gold, gypsum, columbite, and lithium, the state government has no reason to continue depend on the monthly federation accounts allocations committee (FAAC).
Umar said; “We must work towards generating local revenues that will complement the federation accounts monthly allocations.
He lamented the dwindling IGR in funding the execution of projects in the health, education, agriculture and infrastructure sectors.
On the illegal mining of solid minerals, he stated that concrete measures are being adopted, including the engagement of five mining firms for a road map in the solid minerals sector of the state economy.
