By Olawale Lamina
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has refuted allegations by the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, that the Federal Government sited a gold refinery in Lagos State, contrary to the federal character principle.
The Ministry declared that the allegations contained in a statement by the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, were untrue and misleading.
Putting the record straight through a statement on Sunday in Abuja, Segun Tomori, Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, stressed the minister did not made any such announcement.aid the newly established gold refinery was an initiative of Kian Smith, a fully privately-owned mining company, aimed at developing the local gold industry through innovative practices. The Minister’s aide argued that the Federal Government does not compel private companies to locate their operations in any particular state of the federation.
He noted that companies have their own operational and marketing strategy to ensure profitability.
Tomori therefore saluted the commitment of the company’s founder and Managing Director, Ms Nere Emiko, for delivering a flagship project following years of perseverance, enterprise and leadership demonstrated.
He emphasized that the refinery is a demonstration of the solid minerals sector’s response to the value-addition policy put in place to discourage export of raw minerals and encoy local processing and manufacturing.
Tomori stated that the policy had triggered the conversion of raw mineral exports into processing factories across the country, translating to the massive inflows of foreign capital and creating thousands of jobs for Nigerians.
The Ministry pointed out the initiative included the 600 million dollars lithium plant in Nasarawa state, the 400 million dollars rare earth plant also in Nasarawa State and the 200 million dollars ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.
It noted further that, through its policy reforms, the Ministry had been creating an enabling environment for the private sector to grow and thrive in the mining sector in the last two years.
He said the stated Lagos gold refinery and similar projects were clear indications of the impact of reforms in the solid minerals sector.
Tomori said: “The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development shall continue to encourage more mining companies to set up processing and manufacturing plants across the country.
The statement by Tomori advised the Northern Elders Forum appreciate efforts being put in place by aligning with efforts of President Bola Tinubu, towards building a self-reliant economy to meet the needs of the citizens.
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