TheCable

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, says Nigeria has 44 minerals that are demanded globally.

Alake, who spoke when he appeared before the senate committee on solid minerals on Wednesday, said the country has no data on the quantities of those minerals.

“Previous work in the geo-data section has shown that we have about 44 minerals that are in demand, globally,” he said.

“However, we do not have data that will tell us the quantum of what we have across the country.

“What the investors or operators are doing now are partly speculative, and no big player will come into our sector, based on speculation.

“All of these are contingent on the geo-scientific data we can generate, and these things don’t come cheap.

“We don’t have equipment locally, we don’t have certain technical personnel. This means that we rely on international assistance.

“This means, distinguished senators, that we need your assistance in terms of budgetary allocation.”

The minister said for Nigeria to harness its mineral resources and increase its gross domestic product (GDP), it must play by some rules.

“We must put in place some enduring infrastructure,” he said.

‘To tackle illegal mining and other sharp practices, we must put in place a pre-emptive strategy that will reduce the proclivity to commit such vices.

“That is what my team and I decided to do when I came in through a seven-point agenda, which I announced to the world and is contained in the document I passed to you.”

Alake said lithium is one of the minerals that Nigeria is blessed with and has drawn some attention to it.