Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, is saddled with the responsibility of finding mineral deposits and provision of available geosciences information in the country, but this agency has not performed to expectation. In this interview with Gabriel Ewepu, the newly appointed Chairman of NGSA Board, Chief Chinedu Maduagwu, speaks of the urgency to repackage and reposition the agency for higher productivity.

What was your reaction when you were appointed Chairman, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA Board?

As an ambitious Nigerian, when I heard it, I was excited, and I was grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing me as Chairman of NGSA Board.

Before you were appointed Chairman, did you have any knowledge of the mining sector?

I had elementary knowledge of the mining industry. By and large, before my appointment, I was very sure that the solid mineral industry is worth delving into and that might rescue the economy and having oil as the major revenue earner.

So having been appointed chairman of the board, I started thinking about conducting more of researches and found out that if the solid minerals sector is explored and exploited, it will give the oil industry close marking in terms of revenue generation for the federation.

What are your plans to take the agency to the next level?

In my maiden board meeting, I have to sensitise my colleagues and tell them that the problem we are having is how to advertise this agency; its viability and importance in nation building that is second to oil if properly exploited and we all agreed.

So we must sensitise the government and see how we can come out from our financial quagmire to take the agency to the next level because there is paucity of funds, and that paucity of funds is from those in government who disburse funds not knowing what the agency is all about.

Now, I have made known that the agency is the key to the mining industry.

The solid minerals bearing areas of this country can sustain the economy even if the oil dries, and very soon America will stop buying our oil. We can still be a viable country with the exploitation of the solid minerals sector.

What are the modalities you have put in place to attract investors into the mining sector, and also bring it out from its current financial challenges?

We are going to do that by consultations, seminars and the media. We will try and let Nigerians and power-brokers know as a matter of urgency that this is the way and situation of the economy of this country.

The agency as you said is a cardinal one in the mining sector and also a window to the opportunities in the Nigerian mining sector. How are you going to convince the government to understand these reasons and adequately fund the agency?

It is the government that appointed me and I will tell the government that this is another goldmine for this country and let us help to galvanise it quickly as a major revenue earner for this country. I have set up committees in my board; the technical, finance and general purpose, and establishment committees. The reports also presented to me will be studied. They will submit their reports at the next board meeting and also, we will issue a communiqué for the government and public to know the imports of the sector and what NGSA can do.

What areas are your board focusing on?

We had a broad discussion on funding, welfare of staff, training, publicity and how to let government know that we are the second best sector of the economy.

Are you promising Nigerians to expect a brand new NGSA?

Yes, they will see a new NGSA very soon, and by the time government gives us the support and due recognition, and the states start consulting us on minerals in their areas we will be self-financing.

As you know investors in the mining sector rely heavily on relevant information and your agency is in a position to provide the needed geosciences information. What measures are you going to put in place to get these information to reach and attract them into the sector?

We are already planning to enhance our websites and we will be making some tours overseas to sell ourselves to donor agencies and synergise with some foreign investors to come and partner with us. There are a lot to be done actually.

When you came in as chairman, what were the challenges you discovered about the agency?

Any organisation has challenges, and I will continue from where my predecessor stopped. I want to develop most of the things he started and add more. I have to study the agency and how to move it forward.

Do you have plans to carry the Miners Association of Nigeria in your agenda?

The miners in this country are very important and prominent in the industry. In our next board meeting, we will showcase and sensitise them and other stakeholders on what we do and what the agency is all about. I will synergise with the Nigeria Miners Association, and also to know their concerns.