FG backs South-South plan to unlock region’s mineral wealth

The Federal Government has pledged its support to the South-South Development Commission's initiative to exploit the region's solid mineral deposits, according to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake. Alake emphasized that the mineral wealth of the oil-producing South-South region has the potential to generate employment, attract investments, and accelerate economic diversification.

This partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu's broader plan to utilize the six geopolitical development commissions to unlock economic opportunities nationwide. The South-South Development Commission, led by its Director-General, Usoro Akpabio, visited the Ministry to establish a practical collaboration in areas such as sustainable mining, investment mobilization, and job creation.

The Minister underscored the importance of regulatory certainty to attract long-term investments and warned states against implementing policies that may conflict with federal mining regulations. Alake highlighted the Ministry's ongoing reforms aimed at transforming mining into a major driver of industrialization, encouraging local processing, responsible mining, investment, and stronger regulation.