Alake Supports South-South Development in Mining Sector

Mr. Henry Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, committed to supporting the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) during a courtesy visit by SSDC Director-General Ms. Usoro Offiong Akpabio in Abuja. Alake emphasized the importance of utilizing the South-South region's solid mineral resources to drive investment, job creation, and sustainable development.

He noted the Federal Government's initiative to leverage geopolitical development commissions, established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to enhance economic potential across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Alake highlighted the Ministry's reforms aimed at industrialization through local value addition and responsible mining, which have led to increased revenue and over $2.6 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

He encouraged South-South states to engage in mining through State-owned Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and secure proper mining titles while cautioning against inconsistent state policies. Akpabio expressed the SSDC's desire for a partnership focused on sustainable mining and job creation, agreeing on the need for regional stakeholder engagement to attract investment.