Group seeks decentralisation of solid minerals sector

A group under the aegis of the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals has called on the Federal Government to decentralise the solid minerals sector in the country.

It also called for the unbundling of the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State to pave the way for the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The group raised the concerns in a communique issued at the end of a one day symposium organised by the association in collaboration with the Solid Minerals Development Fund, Abuja, and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in Eket on Tuesday.

The professionals maintained that delisting Solid Minerals exploitation from the Exclusive list would enable sub-nationals to engage experts in the sector to drive rapid socio economic development of the states and Nigeria at large

The communique was signed by Mr. Bassey Akra, Chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee and Dr. Edet Okpo, Chairman, Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals respectively.

It reads in part, “The symposium called on the Federal Government to decentralise Solid Minerals exploitation by delisting Solid Minerals exploitation from the Exclusive list to enable States  engage experts in adding value to the same in various communities.

“It recommended the unbundling of the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom

Deep Seaport and create a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. It saw the Blue Economy as the foundation and catalyst for Nigeria’s future sustainable development and wealth creation beyond oil and gas.”

“It encouraged media professionals to support the successful implementation and development of the various aspects of the Blue Economy for sustainable growth and development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large”

The group, while recognizing the pivotal role of the media in harnessing the enormous solid minerals and blue economy potentials in the Senatorial District, tasked them to drive narratives capable of engaging and promoting community involvement toward maximizing the benefits of the solid minerals and blue economy.

They further called on media professionals to help in de-risking investments, build communal trust, and ensure transparent resolution of issues to avoid the escalation of conflicts, as well as advocating policies.

They were encouraged to ensure positive media coverage to attract investors using data driven story telling while also emphasizing the need to deploy community radio in local dialects.

The group also expressed deep appreciation to the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, Dr. Ekong Sampson, for facilitating the one-day symposium for media professionals and stakeholders from the Senatorial District.