The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has announced that the Federal Government is in the process of establishing six mineral centres in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. This endeavour is aimed at diversifying the country’s economy by prioritising key sectors such as the solid minerals industry.
During a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Dr. Alake underscored the significance of these mineral centres as a crucial step towards realising the government’s objective of promoting value addition to its minerals. The ultimate goal is to generate multiplier effects on the economy and foster sustainable development.
Dr. Alake elucidated that one of the primary motivations behind the establishment of these centres is to thwart the extraction of raw mineral resources from Nigeria without adding value to them. He emphasised the importance of processing and refining the minerals within the country’s borders to ensure that Nigeria maximises the benefits of its resources.
Moreover, Dr. Alake drew attention to the issue of investors extracting raw mineral resources from Nigeria without adding value, resulting in significant economic losses for the country. He cited Nigerian Lithium as an example, noting that it is of superior quality in the world and contains associated minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper. Dr. Alake asserted that the extraction of such valuable minerals without adding value leads to losses for Nigeria.
Furthermore, Dr. Alake announced that the government will not grant licenses to mining companies to operate without presenting a comprehensive plan for value addition, including processing and refining. This demonstrates the government’s steadfast commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible mining practices in the country.
The establishment of these mineral centres in each geo-political zone will facilitate the processing and refining of minerals across Nigeria, rather than centralising these activities in one location. This measure will ensure an equitable distribution of economic benefits and opportunities across the country, ultimately contributing to balanced and inclusive economic growth.
In conclusion, the Nigerian government’s initiative to establish six mineral centres across the country is a pivotal step towards ensuring sustainable development and economic growth. By promoting value addition and responsible mining practices, Nigeria is poised to maximise the potential of its abundant mineral resources. This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to diversify the economy and drive growth in key sectors such as the solid minerals industry.