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AKURE – The ban on exportation of unprocessed solid minerals and other raw materials was done for the benefit of Nigerians and the nation.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, on Thursday at the ongoing Southwest Summit in Akure, Ondo State capital.

Alake disclosed that before the advent of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government, solid minerals were being extracted from the “pit to the port” for exportation.

He explained that Nigeria had lost huge foreign exchange to exporting unprocessed solid minerals only to import same after being processed.

The Minister disclosed that the solid minerals policies propounded by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government had been adopted by many African nations for the betterment of their economies.

He disclosed that since the ban on exportation of unprocessed solid minerals, a huge foreign investment had been attracted to the country as many foreign companies that had hitherto engaged in shipping the unprocessed minerals had established processing industries in the country.

Besides increase in revenue generation, many job opportunities have been created.

Alake stated that the ban has improved the value Nigerians and nation got from solid mineral exploration.

He also revealed that many dormant exploration licences were revoked to allow investors to come into the sector.

Besides, over ninety mining sites were recovered from illegal Minister’s through the strategies he employee when he took over as the Minister of the sector.

Also, the Minister explained different strategies he employee in checking illegal mining which had really paid off.

He, therefore, called for support for the policies of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government for the revamp of the nation’s economy.