Federal government has stressed its commitment to enthroning professionalism in the Nigerian extractive industry by checking quackery in the sector.
The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake. made this known during the 13th Induction ceremony and accreditation, certificate presentation organised by Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers and Geoscientists.
Alake said: ‘’The solid mineral is Nigeria’s huge source of wealth, hence, the need to ensure that professionals only are given operating licence in the mining Industry.’’
“As from today, no Mining Engineers or Geoscientists will be recognised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals without COMEG registration. If you are not registered, you are quack and all reports that come into the ministry must carry the stamp of the COMEG registration,’’ the minister declared according to a statement by Alaba Balogun, spokesperson of the ministry.
During his address at the induction ceremony, the minister said :’’ The era in which the country relies on oil for its economic development is over. The present administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to looking inward for economic diversification. Hence the need to harness God’s given minerals to the country’’.
While congratulating the Inductees, Dr Alake challenged them to always avail themselves the opportunity to constant learning, stressing, ‘’You must not take your training for granted, because the country counts on you to bring back its lost glory’’.
Welcoming the gathering, the registrar, COMEG, Prof. Zachaeus Opafunso, expressed his happiness for another induction for the Mining Engineers who have passed both written and Oral examinations.
He added that Online examinations were also organised for members in Diaspora.
In his goodwill message, the president Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) Prof. A. S. Olatunji who was represented by Prof. Shedrack, said the induction program today was another landmark recorded since the inception of the Registrar, noting that the exercise is to enhance professionalism within the domain for national growth.
Highlights of the event was the symbolic presentation of the COMEG Accreditation Certificate to the vice chancellor Al- hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Prof. Noah Yusuf by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake.
