A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has commended the Nasarawa State governor Abdullahi Sule for attracting investors in solid minerals to the state and called on other governors in the country to emulate him.

A Chinese firm, Kenyang Mining Company, has committed to establishing a tantalite processing plant estimated to cost $250m in Udege, Nasarawa local government area of the state.

Impressed by Governor Sule’s successful journey to and from China to bring investors to the state, the chief convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, said it was a good step worthy of emulation by other governors across the country where such mineral deposits abound.

“We noted that Kenyang, which has been mining and exporting raw tantalite from Udege since 2003, has resolved to establish a tantalite processing plant in the next 24 months, which would cost the company $250m.

“We noticed with satisfaction that the agreement was reached with the governor following his trip to China on the invitation of another Chinese firm, Lovol, which sponsored the entire trip, without him expending a single kobo from the coffers of Nasarawa State throughout his one-week stay in China.
“The good news is that the governor had the opportunity to meet with the owners of a company called Kenyang, which had been in Udege since 2003.

“We are happy with the governor that he made sure that he saw all the materials they have been taking from Nasarawa Udege and to know what they have done with them over the years.

“They informed the governor that they don’t use metal to produce covers for telephones but titanium and tantalite to produce them.

“It is indeed interesting to hear that the tantalite they are taking in Nasarawa State is the tantalite in Shanghai they are giving to the only manufacturer of this cover of telephones.

“We will continue to praise Governor Sule’s efforts for ensuring that the Chinese firm Kenyang promised to set up a tantalite processing plant in Udege within the next 24 months. The company is committed to paying degree holders a minimum salary of N500 000 monthly.

“We are indeed grateful to Governor Sule that after a one-week trip to China, an industrial equipment manufacturing company primarily focusing on agricultural equipment has also committed to establishing its maintenance facility in Nasarawa State.

In the coming months, LOVOL Heavy industries Company Ltd., the Chinese leading tractor and farm equipment producer will be establishing strong presence in Nasarawa State.

The desire of the industrial giant with footprints in all over Asia, Europe to invest in Nasarawa State, was anchored on the commitment of Governor Abdullahi Sule to transform the state into a leading agricultural hub.

To further convince the governor of its intention to invest in the state, the company’s management invited him on assessment of its facilities in China and is currently on a week-long working visit to the Asian giant.

At a meeting with officials of the company in Weifang, Governor Sule who was intrigued by the LOVOL’s potential, urged the company to not just establish presence but consider setting up workshops and training centres in the state.

“My vision extends beyond equipment procurement to having service centres that will also help with training and retraining of citizens of the state,” he was quoted to have said.

With the facility tour and the promise on both sides to partner in boosting food production not just in the state but the country at large through manpower development and agro allied investment, the deal was finally sealed.

In a bid to revitalise the mining sector in Sokoto State, Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development Yusuf Muhammad Maccido embarked on a familiarisation tour with key stakeholders.

Maccido’s first stop was BUA Cement Company, where he emphasised the importance of collaboration between the ministry and private sector companies.

A statement by the PRO of the Ministry of Solid Minerals, Aminu Sani, said the commissioner encouraged the company to continue supporting its host communities.

In his remarks, The Plant Director, Aminu Bashar, highlighted the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, citing various community development projects and initiatives BUA Company undertook in the host community.

The commissioner’s tour also took him to a phosphate mining site in Wamakko Local Government Area.

Maccido’s visit demonstrated his commitment to exploring opportunities for growth in the state’s mining sector.

Similarly, the tour is part of Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s efforts to revitalise the mining sector in Sokoto State by engaging with key stakeholders and promoting collaboration. The goal is to unlock the state’s vast mineral resources and drive economic growth.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Lawali Sada, and the ministry directors accompanied the commissioner.

 

 

 

 

The Kwara State government has fulfilled the registration requirements of five Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that will aid seamless investment opportunities in the mining sector of the State.

LEADERSHIP reports that Kwara State is blessed with abundant mineral resources, particularly in the northern part of the State.

However, the seeming absence of regulatory policies has encouraged illegal mining operations in the state, with its attendant threats to security of lives.

Speaking at an Inter-ministerial press briefing in Ilorin, the commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Afees Abolore, said the licences for the five SPVs on mining operations in the state would be issued on or before the end of the “first quarter of the year, all things being equal.”

He said the SPVs, when they become operational, would enhance seamless investment opportunities in mining operations and also increase internally generated revenue potential of the state.

He said effort towards the reduction of illegal mining in the state to a barest minimum was in top gear.

Abolore said the state government would continue to partner with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other relevant stakeholders in boosting mining practices and other solid minerals related activities in the state.

He noted that Kwara State has been identified as one of the leading solid mineral-producing states in the country, assuring that the ministry under his watch would utilise the full potential of the huge mineral resources to the benefit of the state.