The Minister of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), Olamilekan Adegbite, has stated that the mines and steel sector offers the country an opportunity to diversify the economy from oil and gas.
He noted that the ministry had moved from analogue record-keeping to digital with the support of Cadastre office (MCO) in the area of license and others.
Adegbite stated this at the presentation of the digital innovation in the Federal Government category for the year 2022.ng Awards won by the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), in Abuja.
The minister said: “MCO needs a lot of funds for its development and there is no doubt that mines and steel is the way to diversify the country’s economy from dependence on oil and gas. We are at the point now where we are beginning to get attention internationally for the mining sector. We thank the President and the government for the support given so far.
“Our National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project (NIMEP) has produced fantastic data results for which people are now clamoring. I have directed the DG of MCO to create a dedicated account so that we can report back to the federal government.”
In her remarks, the permanent secretary of MMSD, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade, commended the DG of MCO, Simon Nkom, for winning the award.
She urged the various team leaders to key into the service improvement agenda of the head of the civil service of the federation, particularly in the area of digitization and innovation by developing new ideas that can be used in addressing emerging challenges.
Also, the Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Obadiah Nkom, noted that currently mineral title applications can be received on eMC+ at all MCO Zonal offices across the country.
