Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, says the Federal Government will ensure the eradication of quackery in the mining sector through professionalism in Nigeria’s extractive industry.
The minister disclosed this during the 13th Induction and Certificate Presentation organized by the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers And Geoscientists COMEG, in Abuja.
“As of today, no Mining Engineer or Geoscientist will be recognized 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 move was part of efforts to rid the sector of quacks,” Alake said.
The minister noted that solid minerals were now Nigeria’s huge source of wealth prospect, thus the need for professionalism in its operation.
Dr Alake urged the inductees to continuously acquire knowledge to expand the horizon of their profession to actualize the administration’s agenda to diversify the economy, stressing that they have a critical role to play in the value chain of Minerals Development.
Mr. Alake explained that President Bola Tinubu has prioritized the sector with a global marketing drive since he assumed office and had brought about positive responses from within and outside the country.
“The world over was already transiting from fossil fuels and Nigeria must not be left behind hence the need to think outside the box through the God-given abundant mineral resources across the country.
“Well, I’ve decided that we must shift focus from our dependency on oil to activating the potentialities embedded in the solid material. That’s the philosophy behind the creation of the solid ministry”, he said.
The Registrar/CEO of COMEG Prof. Zacheous Opafunso explained that registration was mandatory for all professionals both nationals and expatriates to operate legally in Nigeria as the council would enforce penalties for breach of the Act.
He said the induction was part of the Council’s responsibilities to maintain a register of persons qualified to practice as Geoscientists, Mining Engineers, and Metallurgists as stipulated by the Act guiding its operations.
Prof. Opafunso warned parents and students against patronizing such institutions running non-COMEG accredited professional programs.
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