Kogi gov’t makes case for special recognition from FG in solid mineral sector »

Kogi State Government has urged the Federal Government to give it special recognition in the efforts to diversify the nation’s economy as the state with one of the highest solid minerals deposits.

Governor Yahaya Bello stated this on Thursday in Lokoja when he received the leadership of the Nigerian Senate who accompanied the Minister of Iron Ore and Solid Minerals Development and his entourage on a fact finding mission to the state.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja said Kogi State is richly blessed with variety of solid and metallic minerals as well as Structural and Building Materials.

The solid minerals the Governor mentioned include mineral fuels like Cole to metallic minerals like tantalite, colombite, iron ore and gold and Structural and Building Materials like marbles, dolomite, granite, clay, silica sands, limestone, and other varieties of industrial materials.

While applauding the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his promise of completing the Ajaokuta Steel Complex to enable effective diversification of the country’s resources, the Governor said the prject would bring about economic rejuvenation and prosperity for Nigerian citizens.

Governor Bello bemoaned the non utilization and under – utilization of these solid mineral resources with majority of them remaining untapped, hence his decision to prioritise attention to the sector and to expand its scope as a revenue earner.

He said the decision informed the creation of the ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources under the present administration with the oversight function solely lying with the commissioner in charge to drive the process.

“The ministry’s creation further solidifies the fact that we are open for business in the sector, we therefore urge our August visitors to carry this message to the world.

“Kogi State is inviting local and international investors, industrialists, and solid Minerals and mining operators to come and invest in the solid mineral of their choice.

“Other categories of investors who may not be miners but require raw materials in their line of manufacturing include the manufacturers of metal gang, locomotive fuels, insulators, gas, chalk, chemicals, ammonia, glass, paints, pillars, electroplating alloys, hydrated ceramics, industrial machines and others.”

Speaking in an opening remark, the commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engr Abubakar Bashir Muhammed had earlier expressed joy over the visit and thanked the committee for ensuring due diligence in the discharge of their duty.

He praised the Federal Government for the dedication being shown on the matter of Ajaokuta Steel Complex and applauded the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his tireless efforts at ensuring that Kogi State became industrialized under his watch.

In their separate addresses, the minister of iron ore and solid minerals development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite had referred to people of the state as hospitable and thanked them for their hospitality.

He promised that when completed, Ajaokuta Steel Complex and the Nigerian Ion Ore mining Company (NIOMCO) have the capacity to drive the nation’s industrialization.

Arc Adegbite noted that the federal government under President Buhari had committed to it, adding that the ongoing ban on air travel as a result of the Covid19 pandemic was responsible for the delay on the commencement of the project.

The Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi and chairman of the senate committee on solid minerals and metallurgy, Senator Umar Tanko Almakura both explained that they were in the state on a fact finding mission in accordance with the resolution of the Nigerian Senate.