MINISTER of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite has disclosed that he is new to the field but with the cooperation and assistance of the entire workforce, he was ready to learn very quickly.
“I am really impressed with the reception that I have received. I am new to this field but I have some rudimentary interactions because I worked in Ogun State as the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and I knew, sometimes, we had to resolve issues about illegal miners. So, I intend to learn and learn quickly.” He stated.
Mr. Adegbite, who made this known in Abuja, therefore, promised to give adequate attention to poverty eradication by using mining sector to create more jobs as enshrined in the cardinal programme of President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government.
He further promised to increase the revenue base of the country through the ministry and give utmost support to the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government.
According to him, we will contribute our own quota to the success of this administration, especially by increasing the revenue base of the country and lifting people out of poverty.
“Mr. President has promised that he would lift a 100 million people out of poverty in ten years, and by the end of this tenure in four years, we want to be at least, if not 40 percent, then 35 percent and I am sure that this ministry would contribute in no small measure to that.
“Also, one of the cardinal points of Mr. President is anti-corruption, everybody thinks corruption is just about taking money that does not belong to you but no, it must start from all of us. If you are not obeying the traffic light in the night because nobody is seeing, it is also part of corruption. We want to support Mr. President’s agenda in anti-corruption and this will also help the economic development of the country.” He stated.
He said it has been a rollercoaster from Monday when all the ministers started the retreat and nobody among them was left in doubt as to the mission ahead in which they needed to achieve in such a short time.
Also speaking, Minister of State, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah said they were determined to change the narrative of the ministry and they could not do it alone, hence the need for workers to give them maximum support and cooperation.
“We want to have all the maximum supports that you can give to us, we will work as a team with the Permanent Secretary to make sure this ministry becomes an enviable ministry.” He assured.