Jigawa State Government has approved over N1 billion for the expansion of the ongoing comprehensive geophysical survey of solid minerals and rare earth deposits across the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Alhaji Sagir Musa Ahmed, disclosed this to journalists shortly after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Dutse.
According to the commissioner, the approval became necessary to accommodate the expanded scope of the project and ensure more detailed mapping of the state’s natural resource potential.
He explained that the council consequently approved a revision of the total contract sum to facilitate the successful execution of the survey.
The initiative is expected to enhance the state’s capacity to identify and harness its solid mineral resources for economic growth and investment opportunities.
According to him, the project has been reviewed from the initial sum of over 1.3 Billion naira to a revised contract sum of over 2.85 Billion naira with a variation of over 732 million naira.
Alhaji Sagir Musa Ahmed said, the decision to expand the geophysical survey reflects Governor Umar Namadi administration’s strategic commitment to diversifying the State’s economy beyond agriculture.
He pointed out, by widening the search grid across all 27 Local Government Areas, the State Government aims to acquire precise, bankable data on the commercial viability of hydrocarbon deposits and rare earth minerals within its borders.
Sagir added that, the council’s upward review of the contract sum guarantees that the technical partners conducting the survey will utilize state-of-the-art technology to achieve maximum depth and accuracy in their exploration.
He said the expanded scope ensures no potential resource zone is left uncharted.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
