President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that no fewer than 250,000 jobs can be generated from improved gold mining operations in the country.
The President who made this known at the official presentation of locally mined gold bars by the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMDI), yesterday, Thursday in Abuja said over $500m can be generated annually in royalties and taxes to the Federal Government.
The president who lauded the initiative said, it would support efforts at creation of jobs for Nigerians, diversifying the revenue base, and improving foreign exchange reserves.
Buhari, furthermore, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establish gold refineries in Nigeria. He commended all stakeholders involved in the PAGMI for their painstaking efforts.