The Commissioner of Solid minerals of Kogi State, Engr. Bashir Abubakar Mohammed Gegu, has urged states to harness the potentials inherent in solid minerals to boost their internally generated revenue (IGR), even as he stated that Kogi has 38 out of 42 solid mineral deposits in Nigeria.
Gegu made the appeal at the ongoing 4th African National Resources Energy Summit, in Abuja, while showcasing the samples of some solid mineral deposits in Kogi State, at the event.
Speaking to some select Journalists, the Honourable Commissioner, who said that the future of Nigeria and indeed, Africa, lies in the solid minerals energy subsector, invited investors to Kogi State to explore and exploit the opportunities, assuring enabling business policies and environment.
He said that the state has secured many mining licenses and through the assistance of the Governor, His Excellency Ahmed Usman Dodo, has acquired many machines for ease of production.
“Recently, the state government, led by Governor Ahmed, has secured and acquired machinery for mineral development – excavators, payloaders, dump trucks and a host of others. And today, I can tell you happily that Kogi state is doing well in terms of solid mineral development. Kogi state owns its own mines now through the Kogi state solid minerals processing company limited. We have mine sites like beryllium, gold, iron ore and limestone sites. So coming to Kogi state to partner with us to invest, you are sure of your return on investment at shortest possible time. And in Kogi state we offer you value for your money, enabling and friendly environment.
He said, even as the state is supporting local miners with machines and other equipment, it is upscaling to technology for a more efficient and effective development by partnering with local and foreign investors.
“We are open for partnership with the core investors that are into technology transfer and training, and then recently, the governor was away – he led us to China when we met the Chinese government to see how they can come to Kogi state, to deploy their technology in search of minerals, not to know the occurrence alone, but to know the reserve estimate – because once you know the reserve estimate of a particular mineral you can be rest assured that investors will rush in.”
The Honorable Commissioner commended the Honourable Minister of Solid minerals, Dr Henry Alake, for putting together the summit, which has enabled states and solid minerals stakeholders all over the world to meet, transact and build partnerships.