Date: 2020-11-26

Kwara State Government has pledged to give necessary support to the Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee, MIRECO to improve Internally Generated Revenue, IGR in the state.

The State Commissioner for Finance and Planning, Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence made this known while receiving the Kwara State Chapter of MIRECO, a committee established by the Federal Government in her office.

Mrs Oyeyemi who underscored the importance of economic diversification especially now that revenues from oil are dwindling noted that the government would look into the work plan and deliverables of the committee and give necessary support. The Commissioner harped on proper implementation and enforcement of relevant guidelines to the project, stressing that the Ministry of Finance and Planning will assist the MIRECO to achieve its mandate.

Speaking earlier, the MIRECO State Chairman, Dr Abdulrahman Ottan explained that the Eight-man committee is created under section Nineteenth of the Nigerian Mining Law for the purpose of promoting and sustaining solid mineral development of states across the country with three members from the Federal Government and five from Kwara State.

Dr Ottan who noted that the pupose of the committee's visit to the Honourable Commissioner was to discuss areas where both parties will benefit added that the Committee has responsibility to work in collaboration with the state government on the project to enable the state earn thirteen percent derivatives on revenue generated from solid minerals.

In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Alhaji Funsho AbdulRazak noted that the emergence of MIRECO as a welcome development and expressed confidence that the state will benefit through improved IGR and employment opportunity for teeming youth.

Alhaji AbdulRazak assured the committee that the present government in the state is proactive, focused, determined and will always walk the talk to make sure everything works well in the state and for its people.