The Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’I have been presented with Fellowship Award by the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME) for his contributions to the development of the Solid Minerals Sector in Kaduna State and Nigeria. The award was presented at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the Society.
While representing the Governor, the Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Alhaji Lawal Balarabe, stated that, when the present administration came into power, its transition committee was directed to come up with the minerals map of the state which the committee did an excellent job that leads to the establishment of Kaduna State Mining Development Company (KMDC) and Dr Muhammad Usaini was appointed as the Managing Director who happen to be a member of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME).
Anthony Joshua says he was training to be a bricklayer before boxing
Alhaji Lawal Balarabe reiterated that mining is one of the key Sectors the Kaduna State Government is considering for its capital development, therefore mining is central to the State’s economic development. Kaduna State is blessed with abundant solid mineral resources in almost all the twenty-three (23) Local Government Areas of the state as records from the Mining Cadastre Office indicated that the state has the highest number of Exploration Licenses (ELs) and Quarry Leases (QLs). To this end, the State Government is working round the clock towards developing its capacity in the mining industry for its economic growth. These has also lead to the establishment of Minerals Buying and Processing Centre at Birnin-Gwari Local government Area, establishment of Mining Verification Task Force which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, inauguration of MIREMCO, inauguration of the committee for the collection of road tax, and the successful hosting of the second meeting of the National Council on Mining and Minerals Resources Development held in Kaduna which helps to unveil the minerals potentials of Kaduna State to attract investors. All these attest to the special interest His Excellency has in developing the Minerals Resources of our great state.
The SSG affirm that the State Government will always be ready to cooperate and consult with the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers when the need arises as partners for development.
The Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Amina Dyeris Sijuwade, was also presented with the award of honour for her commitments and contributions to the development of the sector.
In her remarks, the Hon. Commissioner has deeply appreciated the honour conferred on the Governor, as well as the Governor’s gigantic support toward the development of the mining sector which helps the State to become a mining destination in the country.
In his speech, the President of Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers, Dr. Ebenezer O.A. Damisa, stated that, the Society has deliberated and come up with a decision to confer its highest award ”The honorary Fellowship of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (FNSME)” on His Excellency Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’I in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of Solid Minerals and also in consideration of some laudable achievements in the sector by his administration.
