FG Sign MoU with Russia Trade, Investment Ministry on Geoscience Cooperation

The federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Ministry of Trade and Investment of the Russian
Federation for scientific and technical cooperation in the field of
Geosciences between Nigeria and Russia was signed during the
Russia- Africa summit.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite
signed the MoU on behalf of government.

Present at the signing was Sergey Gorkov CEO and chairman of
Russian State Geological Holding, ROSGEO, and Gerald Chilhota,
representing the President of African Export-Import Bank

Adegbite stated that the purpose of the MOU was to express the
commitment of the Parties to conduct activities in the fields of
Geoscience on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual
benefit.

A statement by the Minister’s Head of Media, Ayodeji Adeyemi,
yesterday in Abuja, quoted him as saying that the MOU also spells
out the forms of cooperation expected which include exchanges of
scientific and technical information; exchange of study visits and
scientists; collaboration on research activities; joint
organisation of symposia, conferences workshops and training
programs; and other forms of cooperation as may be mutually agreed
between the Parties.

“The MOU also spells out areas of cooperation expected which
include, Research and development on basic geology; Geological maps
compilation and regional mineralization correlation; methodology
and technology on geochemical mapping and remote sensing.”

Other areas of cooperation it noted, include Aero-geophysical
Survey, Geo-database construction and geo-information sharing
Marine geology, Research and monitoring of Geo-hazards; amongst
others

The MOU which the minister signed on behalf of the Nigerian
Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, of the Ministry of Mines and Steel
development, also has the African Export-Import Bank as a party to
it.

According to the statement, Adegbite, who was delighted with the
MOU lauded President Buhari’s initiative to develop the nation’s
mining sector. “President Buhari has given us so much support in
the mining sector and it is now bearing fruits.”

Also, Dr. Abdulrazaq Garba, Director-General, NGSA praised the
leadership of Adegbite in masterminding the agreement.

He stressed that the signing of the MOU is another dimension to
the success that the ministry is achieving in international
collaborations.