News Desk
Federal government has successfully secured Australian scholarship for professionals in the solid minerals industry in a bid to reposition the sector in the area of capacity building.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, achieved this feat after a courtesy visit to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations, Government of Western Australia, on the sidelines of the 21st Africa Down Under Mining Conference held in Perth, Australia on Wednesday.
Alake in a statement signed by Deputy Director Information, Alaba Balogun on Thursday, proposed a programme to enable Nigerian mining professionals to have knowledge of modern mining technology and practices in Western Australia with government support.
He emphasized that the scholarship would impact on mining professionals in terms of training, study trips and exchanges of knowledge with other mineral professionals.
The Minister While stressing on this administration’s initiatives towards attracting foreign direct investment, disclosed the vast mineral resources Nigeria is endowed with such as lithium, gold, coal, lead, zinc, barite and iron ore amongst others.
Responding, the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations, Government of Western Australia, Hon. Bill Johnston commended the Nigerian delegation led by the Minister Dele Alake, assuring Australian support on the transfer of knowledge and skills to Nigerian mining professionals.
Johnson who promised to mobilise the public and private sectors to support the initiative, urged the minister to make a formal request as soon as possible to foster synergy between Nigeria Australia.
Among the delegation include the Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, Ambassador, Anderson Madubike; Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Mercy Clement; Investment Banker from
ANZ Bank, Mr.Martins Imonitie; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals, Dr.Mary Ogbe; Special Adviser to the Minister, Hon.Kehinde Bamigbetan and Director, Mining Cadastral Office, Engr.Nkom Obadiah.
Techrectory
