The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite, Saturday, urged mining companies to prioritize the welfare of host communities for smooth operations.

Adebgite stated this in a statement signed by Special Assistant to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Ayodeji Adeyemi, while on tour of Multiverse Mining and Exploration Company’s mining site in Nasarawa State. He also stressed the need for synergy between mining companies and their host communities, as both should be seen as critical stakeholders for their peaceful co-existence and mutual benefits.

“We appreciate what Multiverse Mining and Exploration Company is doing and for having faith in the economy. We as regulators would provide the needed support for your operations as you adhere to the provisions of the Mining Act. “Mining companies are to integrate host communities into their operations and this would foster good relations between the communities and the companies.

There would not be violence and any stoppage of operations. “Also youths in the host communities are to take offers and opportunities from the companies operating in their communities. The companies have provisions for you and make sure there is that understanding for all to benefit.

The minster encouraged youths to be hardworking and not to allow bad elements lure them into criminality that would damage their future and create problems, stating that in the last one month has been on a tour of several mining and steel companies across the country to lend support to them and to inspect the level of work going on in such, as the sector has been given the mandate to diversify the economy, generate revenue for the government and to create jobs.

The statement further made it known that the Minister during his tour of these companies unveiled some of the incentives the federal government has for investors and operators in the sector to spur growth in the sector. Some of the incentives include waiver on Customs and import duties for the plant, machinery, and equipment imported for mining operations; Tax holidays of between three to five years for businesses as applicable; Free transferability of funds and permission to retain and use earned foreign exchange.