Nigeria To Work With South Africa On Mining

The Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development, Hon Abubakar Bawa Bwari, emphasized the need for the two countries to share knowledge and expertise while receiving a delegation from South Africa in his Office in Abuja, on Monday.

As a follow up to the South African president’s state visit to Nigeria and the delegation led by Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to South Africa, the government of the two countries have commenced discussions on practical areas of cooperation in the mining sector.

Hon Bwari who, together with the Permanent Secretary, Mr Istifanus and other top officials of the ministry, received the team, said “Nigeria had a good reason to partner South Africa”.

“South Africa has advanced in mining” he said, adding that” African  countries need to develop in this critical sector by encouraging and assisting one another.”

The minister  pointed out that there are areas that Nigeria has relative advantage where South Africa can learn from as well as areas of advancement that Nigeria is looking up to South Africa.

The leader of the delegation, Mosa Mabuza, had earlier explained that their visit to the ministry was necessitated by the delegation led by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi to South Africa to find areas of mutual benefits.

Mabuza who was accompanied by other top officials and Geoscientists, explained that whatever Nigeria and South Africa do usually sets the tone for the rest of the continent.

He said that the cooperation between the two countries is not a one-sided affair but an opportunity for meaningful and mutual benefits to leverage on each other’s strength.