Alake: Nasarawa crucial for Nigeria’s solid minerals development
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has emphasized the crucial role of Nasarawa State in Nigeria’s mineral development, meeting with Governor Abdullahi Sule and Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru to discuss the state’s significance as an “epicenter of mining” and its notable lithium deposits.
Alake stressed that the state’s mineral resources are vital for national growth, and that collaboration with local authorities is essential to optimize mining operations. He acknowledged the ongoing reforms in the mining sector that have generated international interest, while also recognizing challenges such as insecurity that necessitate collective action.
The Minister made this statement while addressing journalists shortly after hosting the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and Governor Abdullahi Sule to a meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, Nasarawa is really pivotal to the country’s mineral development because of the state’s endowment.
“Lithium, for instance, is quite massive in Nasarawa State. It is like the epicenter of mining in Nigeria,” he said.
Alake said that is why it is important for his ministry to always discuss it.
He recalled the last time he went to Nasarawa State to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a factory commissioning ceremony, where Governor Sule jokingly referred to himself as the junior minister for the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, symbolizing the significance of Nasarawa State in Nigeria’s minerals development.
“I have received warm and robust cooperation from him and from the Minister of Defence, all centred around the development of our minerals in Nigeria,” he stated.
The Minister added that his ministry has been marketing the country’s solid minerals sector in the last one and a half years, recording beneficial responses even from the big players in the industry outside Nigeria.
“Believe me, Mr. President is happy with the steps we have taken so far and the results that are manifesting for the benefit of Nigerians,” he added.
Alake assured that his ministry is going to do more since the result of success is more hard work.
Speaking to the press, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar stated that it is evident to Nigerians that, as a result of the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian military, the bandits who previously terrorized parts of the North West are now in flight.
The Minister assured that the military would not rest on its oars until the bring banditry to an end, particularly that President Tinubu has given them a marching order to end insecurity in every part of the country by end of this year.
He disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Security Adviser and their teams are relentlessly working to actualize the target issued by the President.
“As you may have seen, we are now putting pressure on all the theaters of operation,” he stated.
He confirmed that mining activities have been lifted in Zamfara State already, which is part of the reasons for their meeting.
“We met to look at all areas that you are having serious issues of security and how best we can secure those areas so that Nigeria will continue to make money out of what we have on the ground,” he said.
On his part, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State said attention of the world is now focusing on Nigeria in all areas of mining be it lithium, tantalite or any such minerals.
While commending the Minister of Solid Minerals Development for his efforts in driving President Tinubu’s agenda in the area of mining, Governor Sule identified security challenge as a recurrent issue in the mining sector.
“There is no way you can carry on with mining activities, and everything goes smoothly without some challenges of insecurity. The essence of the meeting is for us to put heads together and see what we can contribute to the Minister as he manages all these various sites of mining,” he said.
Commenting on activities of lithium companies in the state, he disclosed that more factories are expected to come on stream as more lithium deposits are being discovered, with those already operating carrying out their activities.
Regarding the issuance of mining licenses to states, he appreciated what the administration of President Tinubu is trying to do in order to avoid the pitfalls associated with the oil and gas sector, where licenses were given only to the International Oil Companies (IOCs), which gave rise to issues before companies like the Niger Delta Development Company started obtaining licenses.
“Mr. President captured this very early through the Minister and now we have states that are applying, as well as other indigenous companies. They are going into relationships with the various major companies so that they can carry out their activities,” he stated.
