President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) to provide a six-month progress report on the Solid Minerals Development Fund.

The report which is to be designed to capture accruals from investments is part of the president’s effort to enthrone probity and best practice in the mining sector.

At a briefing by the Steering Committee and Management Team of PAGMI at the State House, Buhari asked the team to scale up operations in the mining sector by ensuring that investments go beyond artisanal and small-scale levels.

The PAGMI Management Team should now develop innovative ways to move PAGMI to the next level to ensure the Nigerian mining story goes beyond artisanal and small-scale mining.

I support the Steering Committee’s target of aggregating 3-5 tons of gold over the next 12 months, as this will deliver tremendous fiscal and economic benefits to the nation. The Solid Minerals Development Fund should work with all relevant Government agencies to identify the support and funding needed to deliver on this aggregation target.

Now that you have successfully delivered a pilot scheme in Kebbi State, it is time to roll out and expand sustainably across other states. The government is committed to providing all the necessary support required,” a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, quoted the president as telling members of the committee.

Buhari urged PAGMI to ensure that the Solid Minerals Development Fund fast-tracks delivery of other directives to support the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative.