The World Bank has reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with Nigeria’s Mining Cadastre Office in efforts to enhance the mining sector’s role in driving economic growth and national development.
This assurance was given on Friday during a visit by a World Bank delegation to the MCO headquarters in Abuja.
The team was led by Noora Arfaa, Senior Operations Officer for Energy and Extractives at the World Bank.
During the meeting, both parties discussed areas of shared interest, particularly in the application of technology to improve transparency and operational efficiency within Nigeria’s mining industry.
Acknowledging recent strides made by the MCO, Arfaa commended the agency’s efforts in digitising operations and advancing transparency in the sector.
She emphasized the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s broader development priorities, especially within the extractive industries.
She explained that the visit aimed to explore collaborative opportunities that would help transform the mining sector into a major contributor to the country’s economic progress.
In his remarks, Director-General of the MCO, Obadiah Nkom, stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained focused on repositioning the mining industry to increase its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.
Nkom added that the discussions with the World Bank were not only targeted at boosting economic contributions but also at promoting sustainability, ensuring environmental protection, and encouraging responsible mining practices across the country.
