BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) has affirmed that the reappointment of Fatima Shinkafi as the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) Executive Secretary by the president is in order.
The reappointment, according to the ministry, is in accordance with the provisions guiding the establishment of the agency.
Reacting to the controversy in certain quarters over the reappointment approved by President Bola Tinubu, the ministry, in a statement signed by its Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Ekwugha Chinwe, asserted that no part of the SMDF act specifies a term limit for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the agency.
“Our attention has been drawn to the misinformation making the rounds in some quarters on the reappointment of Hajia Fatima Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of SMDF, as approved by the President. The approval, done weeks ago, followed due process and aligns with the extant laws governing the agency, as well as the Nigeria Minerals And Mining Act (NMMA) 2007.
“Section 35(2) of the NMMA 2007 stipulates that the Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development. No provisions on tenure limit exist in the act governing the agency. The act does not stipulate term limit for the chief executive. Therefore, her reappointment by the president is in order and does not contravene any law.
“SMDF under her stewardship has been reorganized for capital mobilization, leading de-risking of investment tools for the mining sector and enabling targeted exploration to fast track mine development amongst others. Hence, her pivotal role in our efforts to reposition the mining sector is invaluable,” the ministry asserted.
The ministry assured mining stakeholders that it will continue to support the agency to expand access to lines of credit, lead the charge to strengthen partnerships that will unlock financing to drive economic growth, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of making solid minerals a significant contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).