By Simeon Omame- Nasarawa
A Chinese firm, Avatar New Energy Materials Co. Limited, who recently built and commissioned the largest lithium processing plant in Africa, situated in Endo, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has shown interest and readiness in establishing the another lithium production plant in Udege area of the state.
The move was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officers, CEO, of the Chinese mining companies during a courtesy visit on the governor of Nasarawa state, Abdullahi Sule, at the Government House on Thursday.
Mr. Josh Zhu, Chief Executive of the Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, who spoke through an interpreter, informed the state chief executive of the plans by his company to build yet another lithium factory in the state.
He said: “The good news today we would like to deliver is that we are determined to build another plant in Nasarawa with the same capacity. That is, we will be the number one lithium processing also in Nasarawa or in Nigeria. As we promised in the commissioning, we are going to make lithium processing in a global area in the lithium industry.”
While thanking Governor Sule-led administration in the state for giving his company the opportunity to invest by providing them an enabling environment, Zhu said that the plan in Endo is for the company to achieve full production capacity soon.
He also gave assurance that the company would provide more employment opportunities for the citizens of the state, and as well improved the welfare for both its staff and the host community.
In similar vein, the Chief Executive of the Ganfeng Mining Company, Mr. Chang Jiang-Yu, stated that his company is committed to investing more in the state in the areas of building schools, clinics, hospitals, and provision of boreholes as the company’s corporate social responsibility.
Mr. Chang also appreciated governor Sule and his administration for the sustained support for Ganfeng Mining Company.
Responding, the Nasarawa state governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule restated the determination of his administration to make Nasarawa state an investment hub for investors.
Governor Sule told the visiting company executives that in any meeting held with him, they should know they were dealing with the entire state, adding that whatever they discuss, it would be solely for the benefit of the state and not for him personally.
“Let me first and foremost welcome Avatar officials, as well as the Ganfeng officials, both the ones from China and the ones in Nigeria. I want to welcome you, and I want to say that today, you have the opportunity to meet other government officials.
“The reason why I want you to meet these people is that you will know any meeting you are having with me, is beyond me, you are meeting Nasarawa State government. Anything you are going to do, you are doing it for Nasarawa State, not to me personally. That is why it’s important you have the opportunity to meet with some of them,” the Governor, stated.
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