DG of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, and the Managing Partner of Bruit Costaud, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (CON), today held a joint press briefing ahead of the two-day Roundtable Summit on Sustainable Development of the Mining Industry in Nigeria.
Speaking during the press briefing in Abuja, Prof Omotayo said the main objective of this Roundtable is to provide a platform for all stakeholders in the mining industry, not only to meet and discuss, but to deliberate and reflect on the best strategies to achieve a sustainable development of the sector.
He said the event, which is scheduled for 29th and 30th of April at Abuja Continental Hotel (former Sheraton), will look at the policy and regulatory frameworks guiding the activities of the mining sector, check its impact on the environment, examine how to leverage modern technologies to enhance the activities of the sector and explore how to build local human capacity to take charge of the sector.
He added that the roundtable event, which will be declared open by the Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima (GCON), will look at strategies to secure the mining sites and activities in the country, ensure the attraction of large-scale investment into the sector in other to move it away from being largely artisanal by getting foreign direct investment for the sector; as well as ensuring the buying-in of citizens and communities where mining activities take place.
The DG, therefore, called on all stakeholders invited to the summit, particularly the decision makers (host governors of states where mining activities are currently being carried out, and honourable ministers who are stakeholders in mining), field workers and investors, to hearken this clarion call for national emancipation by coming out promptly, despite their tight schedules, to attend this all-important Summit.