Nasarawa now among states earning over N1bn from solid minerals – Minister

NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia

Nasarawa state government has joined a group of only four states in Nigeria that earn over one billion naira from the federal allocation earning in the solid mineral sector. This was made known by the Director General, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, who represented the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake at a visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule in Lafia, on Friday.

The Minister informed his host that Nasarawa State has achieved a considerable mileage in its quest to improve on the solid mineral exploration in the State.

“Nasarawa State has assumed a solid mineral haven and other minerals there, as a result of the business-enabling climate your administration, from the policies and programmes,” he said, adding that consequently, “Nasarawa State has joined the league, from our records, of four states earning above one billion naira, and I stand to be corrected, in the federation allocation accruing from solid mineral royalty earnings.”

The Minister’s delegation which was in Lafia to convey the approval of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals for the State to host the 6th Council on Mining meeting scheduled for November this year, also listed the resolution of the crises between the two mining companies, the state government and some mining host communities as part of the issues on the agenda for his visit.

On the hosting the of the Mining Council meeting, the Minister said Nasarawa State was chosen because of the proactive steps that the governor has taken to elevate the status of the state as a solid mineral producing state.

“The choice of Nasarawa State for the 6th Council meeting is informed by the commitment and visibility of His Excellency, the Governor, and all the contributions that the state is making towards developing the Home of Solid Minerals. We hold his contributions dear as a critical stakeholder.”

The Mining Council, the Minister’s representative outlined, is a creation of the Federal Executive Council to be the focal consultation platform for stakeholders in the mining industry to engage with the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

He also submitted that the Council is the apex body on policy issues on mining and has a defined interactive platform with an advisory role, and brings together with policy makers, validations and advise to government on matters pertaining to solid minerals.

On the action taken on the report submitted by the state government on the crisis between some companies, mining communities and the state government, the Minister announced that 3.5cu (cadastre unit)or about 70,000 hectares has been delineated to the feuding parties in the disputed area with the government getting 1.5cu or about 30.4 hectares of that volume.

Responding, Governor Sule thanked the Minister for his leadership, which is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. He appreciated the Ministry of Solid Minerals for finding Nasarawa worthy of hosting the Council meeting.

On the resolution of the dispute between the firms, the host communities and the government, Governor Sule said, “You have brought in so much and that is our message to the Minister. Yes, we have the committee here, yes, we have put in a lot and we have to thank the committee. But the biggest of this is your willingness to work with the various states. Today, you have brought in a new dimension to the partnership between the various state government and the various communities where these minerals are sited.” He said such cooperation is necessary for peace to thrive, hence, a seamless mineral exploration.

While thanking the Ministry for the resolution of the conflict, he pledged to keep transparency at the forefront tin the utilization of the resources that will accrue from the state’s share.

“I am glad that you have already taken care of the problem between Liddel and Camfen and Nasarawa State. The 1.5cu allocated to Nasarawa State will go right into production to immediately because of the partnership agreement we are signing with one company. And they have already made a promise how much they are paying as signature bonus. I promise you that one third of the what will come will go to the local governments and community to find out what the community needs,” Sule noted.

The governor also informed the guest of the new mineral sites where explorable amount of lithium has been discovered in the State. He called for settlement with the various communities so that exploration can begin in Amba and Agwada in Kokona Local Government Area as well as the new site found in Keana Local government Area.

Gov. Sule and Engr. Nkom in a handshake during the visit.