The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has described Nasarawa State as a worthy partner in the drive to develop mineral resources in the state and Nigeria at large.
Receiving Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule in his office on Thursday, Alake stated that the governor has provided immense support to the lithium factory being built in the state, stressing that he has led the way in promoting of partnership with the federal government. government for the development of solid minerals.
“The governor has been very supportive of the solid minerals sector, not because his state is a solid minerals state, but because he is an engineer, he is a technical person. He understands the dynamics of the sector and I commend his efforts,” Mr. Alake emphasized.
Ibadan explosion
Mr. Alake also referred to the unfortunate incident of the Ibadan explosion, highlighting that while the investigation is still ongoing, the ministry is very cautious in pinpointing the cause at a very specific threshold.
“We cannot be categorical about a cause now. We have quite a few reports flying everywhere. We cannot rely on speculation, so we have to wait for an effective forensic analysis of the unfortunate incident, but that also highlights the security throughout our country, in general, about which Mr. President has been very demanding.
“A committee was created yesterday in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to coordinate security around our natural resources, including minerals, forests and the marine economy. The committee will start meeting from tomorrow and we will be giving updates,” the Minister said.
In his remarks, Sule praised the minister for leading the fight for the revival of the mining sector and facilitating the State’s acquisition of gold, tin and lithium mining licenses.
He noted that his visit was to brief his host on the ongoing construction of the gigantic lithium factory and also compare notes on what the ministry is doing to secure mining sites and develop the mining sector in the country.
“I want to show great gratitude to the Honorable Minister because recently Nasarawa State obtained three licenses. One is an area where there is the possibility of a gold deposit, another area where there is a lithium deposit and the third site where there is a tin deposit.
“I come from the private sector and I understand how the public sector does not become as efficient in managing this undertaking. So we have Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreements, which implies that we are going to have partners and a certain level of shareholding that will ensure that the State obtains maximum benefits,” Sule said.
The governor was accompanied during the visit by former governor Tanko Al-Makura, Nasarawa State Attorney General Abdulkarim Kana, among others.
According to TomoriSpecial Assistant on MediaTo the Honorable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
January 18, 2024.