The federal government Wednesday hinted that 95 per cent licences and leases issued for exploration and mining in Nasarawa State are inactive.
It lamented that despite the state being endowed with over 13 minerals, it is yet tap into these resources fully.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, disclosed this when the state Governor, Abdullahi Sule paid a courtesy call on the ministry in Abuja.
Mu’azu said: “I learnt that of the licences issued, 95 per cent are inactive. Out of the total of 351 licences and leases issued for exploration and mining in the state, only 19 are active.”
He disclosed that there are a lot of illegal and informal mining activities happening in the state which if converted will lead to real economic and social development for the people.
He added that if all the solid minerals in the state are explored, it can employ millions of people directly or indirectly and lift people out of poverty.
