By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A road map for the growth and development of the mining industry in Nigeria has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
This was made known on Wednesday after the FEC meeting in Abuja presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the Minister of Mining and Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi; as well as the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, said the road map, which is to outline the contribution of mining to the growth of the GDP, is in line with the vision of the present administration to diversify the economy away from oil.
Dr Fayemi said the road map, which was an offshoot of that of 2012, approved the setting up of an independent agency to regulate the industry.
He hinted reporters that the name of Ministry of Mining and Solid Minerals has also been changed to the Ministry of Mining and Steel Development.