The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs Diezani Alison – Madueke has strong conviction that, the development of Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASM) and host communities would enhance poverty alleviation efforts in the country.

She made the assertion during a meeting with a delegation of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) led by its National Coordinator, Dr. Magnus Kpakol to discuss areas of collaboration between the Ministry and the Agency.

Alison –Madueke, who commended the efforts of NAPEP at coordinating and monitoring poverty reduction activities in the country, expressed the view that artisanal and small scale account for over 90% of solid mineral production in Nigeria with over 500,000 Nigerians directly involved in ASM activities.

She expressed the view that development of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining was crucial to the nation’s economy in relation to poverty alleviation programme of the present administration.

The Minister said that the Ministry and the World Bank are currently working together with a view to revamping the mining sector, using the miners and strengthening government policies to attract investors to the sector.

 She reiterated that the Ministry cannot perform alone without the support and contributions of other stakeholders whose views and opinions would provide a platform of strategic framework to move the sector forward.

She also said that the Federal Government would take advantage of the present global economic meltdown to position the sector optimally.

The Minister who emphasized working out modalities and timeframe for the development of artisanal miners said that the ministry would soon organize a Stakeholders Forum to discuss areas of capacity building, infrastructure and funding.

Speaking earlier, the National Coordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Dr. Magnus Kpakol said that the purpose of his visit was to indicate his readiness to collaborate with other relevant organs of government, in particular, mining sector in its bid to fight poverty.  

“NAPEP is charged with the responsibility of coordinating and monitoring all poverty eradication activities in the country; especially in such areas as; Youth Empowerment Scheme; Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme; Social Welfare Services Scheme and Natural Resources Development and Conservation Scheme”, he said.

He added that the ministry’s programmes for the development of artisanal and small scale miners and host communities fall within the National Resources Development and Conservation Scheme of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP).

Dr. Kpakol added that for the present administration to achieve its Vision 20 –20 – 20, a lot of attention must be given to the development of the mining sector.