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Alliance move to establish living lab in the Niger Delta

Published

1 year ago

August 24, 2022

The Federal Ministry of Niger Delta and the implementers of living lab in Nigeria, Green Sahara Farms have begun plans to establish a living lab for nature and people in the Niger Delta in a bid to find balance between human needs and nature”

The aim is to transition from a fossil based linear economy to a circular bio economy with landscape restoration as a foundation and in the case of the Niger Delta, the restoration of mangrove plantation would be the foundation for the transition.

The living lab will also focus on the usage of renewable natural resources instead of petrochemicals which cause damage to the environment as a base resource in agro forestry, medicine, housing,bio fertilizers,bio pharmaceuticals” .

The minister of State Niger Delta Sharon ikoeazor drew attention to divestment by major oil companies in the Niger Delta to invest in sustainable ventures.

She lamented that the devastation caused by the activities of oil companies in the Niger Delta has caused loss of livelihoods and other social and economic problems.

“Today, environmental degradation is not the problem of the Niger Delta or Nigeria but a global problem which affects everyone on earth. The recent global climate related calamities and the growth of investment in alternative and renewable energy It is important the Niger Delta is prepared for life after oil.”

The Minister stressed that partnerships like this which has the community at the center of economic restoration of the devastated landscape will provide a more sustainable source of livelihoods to the citizens of the Delta.

The founder/CEO of Green Sahara farms Suleiman Dikwa noted that for the first time in History there is an alignment of interest between the west and the underdeveloped world as activities of a rural fisherman affects the life of the residents of Seoul ,New York Paris,Tokyo etc.

He stressed that everyone has agreed that conservation is no longer sustainable but to adapt business models which create sustainable economic activities while restoring landscapes.

Dikwa explained that the CBA had developed a holistic approach to reimagine and develop an economy built on landscape restoration.from housing, biopharmaceuticals, bioenergy,biiferilizers for regenerative agriculture ,aesthetic and spiritual harmony .

Also speaking at the occasion the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry.Mr Olufunso Adebiyi stressed the need for the ministry to develop competencies in climate adaptation economic models with a view to meeting the SDGs target as a core function of the ministry.

It provides an alternative source of financing sustainable development in the Niger Delta and opens a more sustainable approach to climate action in the Niger Delta.

The Director of Economic Development in the Ministry Mr Patrick Nyamo’ stated that the ministry has various social programs that they could not execute due to lack of funds and finding a synergy between social, economic and environmental objectives will enable an alternative source of financing social and environmental challenges sustainably and prepare the Niger Delta for life after oil.

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FG woos foreign mining investors with lower production cost

Published

19 hours ago

November 28, 2023

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Cutting red tapes which slow business transactions and improving the security of mining operations are among fresh commitments unfolded by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake at the Mines & Money Conference which opened in London, United Kingdom on Tuesday.

Addressing global stakeholders in the mining industry, Alake, in the 15-minute speech pitched for more investment in Nigeria listing unique advantages such as lower production cost due to surface mining and billions of dollar untapped minerals.
He quoted recent reports by audit firm KPMG which reported that mining’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP rose from 0.3 percent to 0.85 percent last year, indicating 0.63 percent year on year growth.

His words: “The country’s geological bounty encompasses over 44 distinct mineral types, found in exploitable quantities across more than 500 locations. Recently, recognizing the evolving global landscape and in response to emerging trends, Lithium has been included as a crucial strategic mineral of global consequence.”

Dr. Alake said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has embarked on reforms to boost investment by streamlining procedures and reducing hurdles to attract foreign investors.

Showcasing recent progress in creating conditions for solid minerals development, Dr. Alake highlighted fresh data revealed by the Airborne Geophysical Survey, memorandum of understanding with German firm Geoscan to gather more data on solid minerals across the country and access to finance through a new funding facility launched by the Africa Finance Corporation and the Solid Minerals Development Fund.

The minister reminded the global mining community of the Federal Government ‘s policies on how mining operations must benefit the communities and lead to processing instead of wholesale export of raw minerals.

“ Nigeria is currently emphasizing Solid Minerals Beneficiation and Value-Addition as a panacea for quick and sustainable growth of the Mining Industry…By adding value to our raw materials, we not only create higher value products but also generate employment opportunities for our teeming youth and increase the sector’s overall profitability and contribution to the nation’s GDP”, he said
Dr. Alake urged investors to support socio-economic development of the communities where they mine to make mining mutually beneficial.

Citing the recent launch of the revised guidelines for Community Development Agreement which provides for social amenities, educational support, health and safety environmental facilities.

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