Federal Government has been charged to provide state of the art equipment to the National Metallurgical Center, jos to carry out Research effectively.
Director General, Professor Linus Asuquo gave the charge while handing over some structures of the center to the Mineral sector Support for Economic Diversification under the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for renovation.
He said National Metallurgical Center Jos was established in 1973, with their structures and equipment dilapidated and in need of urgent attention.
“To this end, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development got a Facility at the World Bank to Develop the Solid Mineral Sector of which the National Metallurgical Center is a beneficiary”.
Professor Linus Asuquo noted that the centre needs personnel who are research oriented.
He also called for human capital training within and outside the Country.
The Director General emphasized the need for more allocation of funds to research and development.
Professor Asuquo, however noted that COVID 19 Pandemic had forced people to go into Research and advised that it should be taken seriously, especially now that the price of fuel was affecting revenue of the Country.
He said Plateau State had over 197 mining companies in the 1960s and expressed regret that none was presently existing.
Speaking, the Deputy Project Coordinator for the Mineral Sector support for economic diversification Project Abba Usman explained that the project seeks to rejuvenate the Mining Sector.
Usman said with the rejuvenation of the steel and Mining Sectors, it would add value and wealth to the Miners and generate revenue for the government.
According to him, the building identified for renovation include laboratories, a library and telecommunication block among others.
Similarly, the Consulting Architect for the Project Mr David Mandela assured that the Project would be completed in 6 to 8 months period as stipulated
Cov/Josiah/ Jos