...Says it will boost solid mineral exploration in Nigeria
...Lauds Management for commitment to ensuring fuffill of established mandate
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A foremost Civil Society Organisation identified as Great Minds Initiative for the Empowernment and Social Developments had on Tuesday called for increased funding for the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency NGSA.

The cordinator of the group, Amb. Myke Ngbe who made this known to newsmen during the presentation of the CSOs' Independent Monitoring and Evaluation Report of the Hydro-geochemical survey carried out in Sokoto state and its environs, said that funding for an agency that is majorly pivotal to the improvement of the nation’s economy, should be top priority of the government. 

Amb Myke Ngbe disclosed that the NGSA commissioned a survey team to conduct hydrogeochemical survey of Sokoto and its environs, in order to ascertain the impacts of human activities - due to high population density and poor environmental hygiene or inadequate sanitation practices - on the quality of ground water in Sokoto state. The survey team commenced work on Nov 14, 2023.

The group was engaged to monitor and evaluate the process of ground water sampling, by way of tracking the integrity and professionalism of the data collection process by the survey team - to ensure that it is in keeping with global best practices - and then to submit an M & E report of the survey to stakeholders, to serve as a guide for future intervention and investment decisions in Sokoto state.

"I am glad to announce today that we now have a credible, reliable and verifiable set of baseline data for the hydro-geochemical survey of Sokoto and it’s environs–which represents the current quality of ground water in the state.

"In any case, our monitoring & evaluation exercise revealed that the data collection process was very professional and the survey team well equipped in terms of the social and technical skills required to generate credible, reliable and verifiable qualitative and quantitative data from the locals, as well as underground well samples. Moreover, the M&E team found the work ethic of the survey team to be really very impressive – despite the obvious fact that the team had to work under prevailing socioeconomic challenges, constraints and limitations.

"In keeping with that clarion call for increased funding of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Great Minds Initiative for the Empowerment and Social Developments hereby calls on the federal government to review its funding of the Agency, to reflect current macroeconomic indices which define the socioeconomic realities of our society in present day Nigeria.

"This exercise, has further deepened the civil society/stakeholders engagement" he added.

Meanwhile in his remark, the Director-General of the agency, Dr Abdulrazaq Garba while thanking the group, hinted that the high-grade lithium discovered in Nigeria has been attracting foreign investors, he bemoaned insecurity, funding,as some challenges experienced in solid mineral exploration and promised commitment of the agency in accelerating progress, growth in the sector.

He further opined data set generated by the agency is effective enough to a point of gathering interest from companies across the nation.