By Precious Mbaramah
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso, recently visited the Council’s Imo State Coordinating Office during an official engagement in Owerri, where he interacted with staff and encouraged greater commitment toward the effective implementation of the Council’s mandate.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Director General to assess ongoing activities at the office and engage with staff on ways of improving productivity and overall performance.
Addressing the staff, Prof. Ike-Muonso commended them for the warm reception and noted that the visit provided him with the opportunity to interact directly with officers and obtain first-hand information on the progress of activities in the state. He emphasized that state offices must demonstrate initiative and productivity in executing the Council’s mandate, adding that their relevance should be reflected in tangible outputs such as research activities, field investigations, and proper documentation of raw material resources across their respective states.
The DG also stressed the importance of professionalism in both personal conduct and workplace environment. He urged staff to maintain a well-organized office and uphold standards that reflect the seriousness and integrity of a federal government institution.
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He further highlighted the need for teamwork, cooperation, and mutual respect among staff members, noting that unity within the workplace is essential for effective performance and service delivery.
Ike-Muonso also encouraged officers to invest in their personal and professional development by pursuing higher academic qualifications and engaging in continuous learning to strengthen their competence and career prospects.
Earlier, in her welcome remarks, the Director of SIESD, Dr. Edith Obi, expressed appreciation to the Director General for taking time to visit the Imo State office. The State Coordinator, Mr. Enemuo David, subsequently introduced members of staff present during the engagement.
Mr. Enemuo informed the Director General that the Imo State Coordinating Office had recently initiated a solid mineral mapping exercise within the state. As part of the exercise, the office conducted a field visit to a clay deposit site at Nsu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, where artisanal mining activities were taking place across several hectares of land. Samples of clay minerals were collected for laboratory analysis.
Commending the initiative, Prof. Ike-Muonso praised the office for identifying and visiting the site. He advised that mineral samples obtained during field exercises should be properly analyzed and documented to support the Council’s research and development activities. He also encouraged the State Coordinator to seek necessary support from headquarters to strengthen ongoing field operations.
During the interactive session, staff highlighted several operational challenges affecting the office, including the absence of stable electricity supply for more than ten years, the need for solar power solutions, and inadequate office furniture and equipment.
Responding to these concerns, the Director General explained that the Council had recently secured funding for capital projects and that procurement processes were already underway for the provision of solar power systems and new official vehicles for state offices. However, he advised the State Coordinator to address minor maintenance issues within his capacity while awaiting further intervention from headquarters.
Prof. Ike-Muonso also informed staff about the forthcoming African Raw Materials Summit 2026 scheduled for June, encouraging the office to mobilize relevant stakeholders within the state to participate actively in the programme.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Obi thanked the Director General for the visit and for the encouragement given to staff, particularly regarding the importance of continuous self-development and professional growth.
Similarly, Mr. Enemuo expressed appreciation to the Director General for the visit and the valuable guidance provided. He assured him of the commitment of staff of the Imo State office to improving their performance and contributing effectively to the realization of the Council’s mandate.
