By ABAH ADAH
Director General Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, Dr Abdulrazaq Garba, has expressed the agency’s readiness to partner with journalists covering the solid minerals and steel sector to enable them disseminate information from an informed point of view that would enhance development.
Dr Garba made this known while playing host to the leadership team of the Solid Minerals and Steel Association correspondents who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
According to the Director General, operations around solid minerals, which NGSA anchors, is so complex with so many terminologies that only journalists with good understanding of their nature can feed the public with information devoid of ambiguities.
He maintained journalists covering the sector has a prominent role to play in the development of solid minerals which is now focus beside agriculture for the diversification of the economy by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Dr Garba appreciated the services of the correspondents so far, but insisted on the need for training to acquaint them with the complexities of the sector and the terminologies used thereat.
“I say thank you because you have been trying your best to cover the sector effectively, and the coming of the Minister who is also a journalist has stepped up the visibility of the sector in the media” Garba stressed.
“I’m sure you will agree with me that the current administration intent to diversify the economy using the solid minerals hence, the role of the press can never be underestimated.
Reiterating the agency’s commitment to partnering the media in keeping them abreast of the agency’s activities and programmes, Dr Garba urged the media to project the activities of the agency objectively.
“I want to assure you that NGSA will not be behind. You will recollect that I promised organising a training for you journalists on the beat, we intend doing the training because there is a gap and misuse of some terminologies in the sector,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Mrs Georgina Humphrey, who led the group thanked the DG and the directors present for the warm welcome accorded the journalists, while pledging on behalf of the team to ensure proper verification of facts prior to dissemination to the public.
The journalists put on the table a five-point demand which includes: the DG ensuring that they are carried along through organised training on the dynamics of the sector, that information or clarification sought after at any given time be made available for accurate and balanced reportage among others.
The highpoint was the presentation of a table clock as a souvenir by the agency to the group.