Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has urged the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geologists (COMEG) to sponsor a detailed investigation on mineral deposits in the state.

The governor made the call on Monday in Akure while declaring open a five-day training programme organised by COMEG.

The programme was aimed at training COMEG-recognised persons on the professional development of international mineral reporting standard.

Gov. Akeredolu said the detailed investigation of mineral deposits would create a reliable national resource database of the actual composition and reserve estimate.

He said that it was important to let the engineers know that the state had valuable minerals, such as iron ore in Akunu-Akoko, pegmatite in Igbara-Oke, gold in Owo and Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo in commercial quantity.

“As a state, we have massively invested in the provision of security and other infrastructure that will attract would-be investors.

“For instance, we have put in place a home-grown security outfit, code-named Amotekun,’’ he said.

In his address, the Chairman of COMEG, Professor Zacheaus Opafunso, said that the workshop was part of the council’s moves to be classified globally as recognised professionals.

Prof. Opafunso said it was high time members of the body became independent of foreign professionals who were the only ones that could certify reports from the country.

He also said that exploration of the mineral resources would create economic opportunities for the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Akin Asaniyan, commended COMEG for organising the workshop, with a focus on improving the skills and knowledge of participants.

(NAN)