The Ogun State government has defended its decision to create a Mineral Resources Agency, stating that it is in the best interest of the state. According to Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, the agency will protect the state’s resources, ensure decency and sanity in the mining sector, and attract investors.
Akinmade explained that the agency will focus on mineral identification, geological mapping, and data banking, in line with the exclusive legislative list regulating mining activities in Nigeria. He noted that while the Federal Government regulates mining activities, states have a role to play in enumerating and managing their mineral resources.
The agency will interface with other MDAs to avoid clashes in land allocation and ensure that prospective mining sites are preserved for investors. Akinmade cited the example of oil-producing states that have set up ministries of oil and gas, which focus on host community development and maximizing petroleum participation in the state.
He also emphasized the need for the state government to know the businesses and investors operating in the state, in order to ensure security of lives and property. The creation of the agency is seen as a step towards effective governance and management of the state’s resources.
