Oil Price Crisis: Kwara to Focus on Solid Minerals - Ahmed
GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State in Ilorin offered explanation as to why the state government renewed its focus on revenue generation through natural resources that were not initially tapped.
Of the resources is solid minerals, which he said, the present administration placed high premium on, as a way of diversifying the mono-economy the country was being run. Ahmed spoke weekend at the inauguration of the state chapter of Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria held at the state Township Stadium in Ilorin.
He said the fall in revenue accrued to the state from the federation accounts consequent upon fall in price and production of oil, necessitated the government's action to tap hitherto untapped revenue sources and plug leakages. The governor, noted that the state was blessed with lots of mineral deposits while efforts were ongoing to harness them to improve revenue generation.
He urged the newly inaugurated state chapter of tippers and quarry union and other related associations to double their commitment in partnering with government to deliver dividend of democracy to the people through renewed revenue drive.
"In Kwara State, this administration in its bid to transform the lives of the people has placed high premium on the development of the solid minerals as a way of diversifying our mono economy, which is majorly dependent on oil resources. "To this effect, the Ministry of Industry and Solid Minerals Development was created to oversee the solid mineral potentials of the state. As you might be aware, the state is blessed with lots of mineral deposits among which are, tantalite, tourmaline, mica, feldspar, gold, cassiterite, kaoline, granite and marble among others.
"We are all witnesses to the fall in revenue accruable from the Federal Government due to global meltdown and fall in price and production of oil, this has necessitated that all hitherto untapped revenue sources has to be tapped and leakages blocked", Ahmed said.
The Governor also disclosed that he has approved the drilling of two boreholes in the choice locations of the union, saying the gesture was in recognition of the union's contribution to the state and national economy.
In his speech, the state chairman of the union, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Mogaji, said part of the objectives of the union was to promote the welfare of an effective operations of members in all ways possible.
He said the inauguration of the union would further promote, improve and ensure standard of operation, just as he added that the association was also contributing to the nation building in the area of employment and empowerment.
Mogaji stated that the union would also monitor and ensure the lawfulness and transparency of tipper and quarry employers in the state, assuring that this was to put a stop to the outcry of tippers containing dead bodies, contraband goods, stolen item and driving recklessly. The state chairman also expressed the readiness of the union to help the government engage men to curb unemployment.
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