Mines & Steel Ministry launches two aircraft for data collation of minerals
By Gloria Akudoro, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), on Thursday, launched two yellow aircraft for data collation of various minerals in all the 36 states of the federation.
The launching of the aircraft took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by the Honourable Minister, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, his entourage and investment partner, John Eyre.
Arch. Adegbite said, “It is part of Ministry’s program to acquire data on the minerals resources in the country through Geophysical measurements.
“The aircraft are special as they have equipment in them that monitor certain parameters on ground. They work when the ground is dry. The recordings are in thes equipment are trans-loaded unto computers that would interpret them. This will give us data that can be utilized.
“These data will enhance our ability to know what minerals we have, and thereby attract investors. It would enhance what we know already and give us clearer data.
“It is a part of the World Bank’s Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project in the Ministry. There was an open competition and this company from South Africa, Xcalibur Multiphysics, won it, and they are here now with their aircrafts.”
He explained that its ministry underwent a lot of security processes from the Nigerian Air Force to get approval before putting the aircraft in use.
Adegbite said the aircraft will fly at low altitude of about 50 metres from the ground while testing it.
“To allay people’s fears, for the last three months, we have been going round the states, sensitizing people, and so that when these yellow aircraft are flying at low altitude, people would not panic.”
He said various forms of sensitization has been made about the flying of the aircraft both on radio and television and with the collaboration of some states governors in order to calm panic in the environment.
Also speaking, Technical Adviser, Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver), John Eyre, noted that they are aircrafts built with sensors to fly by single pilot.
He further hinted that the body of each is equipped with electronic sensors, which will pick up variations, particularly magnetic and radiometric changes in the ground.
