Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde today inaugurated the board of the Nigerian Marble Mining Company, charging the members to attract investments to the company within the shortest time.
The members of the board include Engrs. Frank Odom and Imam A. Ganiyu (representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development); Dr. Jadesola Lakulo-Sodipe, Chief Jacob Gbadebo Adetoro and Chief Mrs. C. J. Aremu (representatives of the Asamu family of Igbeti).
Others are Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Barr. Oluwaseun Asamu, Executive Chairman of the Mineral Development Agency, Mr. Abiodun Oni and the Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi (representatives of the Oyo State government) and the Chairman of Olorunsogo Local Government, Igbeti.
Speaking during the inauguration, Makinde, who assured the board of necessary supports maintained that mineral development is one of the core areas of focus in his administration’s economic expansion drive.
He said, “I believe this has been done in the past. I had a chance to meet with the former governor of the state and discussed with him. He promised during the 2015 campaign to make solid mineral development a priority and an avenue for the state to expand its economy. After the discussion, he inaugurated the board. I want to ask this board that this should be taken seriously. You need to, within the shortest possible time, bring in investments into the company. I give you the assurance that Oyo State will give you the needed support to ensure that the operation of the Nigerian Marble Company is elevated from the subsistence level where it is right now.
“The link between Oyo State and Igbeti Marble is something that they know worldwide. We have not been able to do much in terms of expanding the company’s financial base, in terms of employment of a lot of our people from the catchment area, and setting a real target for ourselves. I also want to tell you that you have a lot of work ahead of you. This is a government that is ready to change the narrative of the company. So, feel free to come to us at any time and we will support you; but we want to see Igbeti Marble back on the world map”.
Speaking on the environmental impact of the company, Makinde charged the board to be proactive in ensuring that the company protects the environment it operates in, warning that the company must put in place necessary measures to restore the environment where possible.
“Our environment is really dear to us. We want your operation to take charge of the environment. We don’t want any destruction. Please, take care of where your mining operation will impact on the environment and lives of our people. Ensure you do restoration activities where possible. I am excited about what is possible here and I look forward to a changed story. We will award, shortly, the Saki-Igboho road. So, you can basically take advantage of the improved infrastructure of the area” he said.
