29 March 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The World Bank is considering a $150 million loan that would go to boost activities in the Nigerian mining sector.
That was specifically one of the topics on the agenda of the World Bank’s board of governors’ current meeting.
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this at the 53rd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Society for Mining and Geosciences in Abuja on Tuesday.
“We have commenced a systematic effort to build knowledge and confidence among Nigerian financial institutions to support mining projects.
“In addition, we intend to establish the Nigerian Solid Minerals Investment Fund, structured as a private sector oriented investment outfit to provide financing to private sector-led projects in the mining sector.
“The Federal Government recently approved about N30bn from the Natural Resources Fund to promote exploration for new minerals and improve the regulatory framework in the ministry.
“The ministry, through the Federal Government, is also negotiating a $150m loan from the World bank to commence the Mindiver Project aimed at further resuscitating the ailing sector. Today (Tuesday), the bank’s board is meeting in Washington to consider the concessional loan,” Fayemi stated.
