From Abel Leonard, Lafia
In a bid to foster economic growth and attract private investments, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has announced the inauguration of a 4000 metric tons per day lithium processing factory in Nasarawa Local Government Area.
The governor emphasized the state’s commitment to creating an environment conducive for investors, stating, “investors are showing this great amount of interest because we have opened the state.”
Among the esteemed investors present was Mr. Zhenhua Pei, Chairman of Canmax Technologies, who expressed readiness to invest $200 million for another lithium processing plant in the state. Governor Sule reiterated his call for Nigerians to explore investment opportunities in the mining sector, underscoring the state’s potential for growth and development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the collaborative efforts between the Federal Government, Nasarawa State, and investors, highlighting the significance of diversification policies in leveraging the mining sector for socioeconomic benefits.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu hailed the commissioning of the lithium processing plant as a milestone in Nigeria’s technological advancement.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, underscored the administration’s commitment to value addition in the mining sector. He emphasized the ministry’s stance on granting licenses only to miners with concrete plans for local value addition, signalling a strategic shift towards sustainable development.
Chairman of Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, Mr. Hi Yongwei, outlined the company’s substantial investment in Nigeria, projecting significant economic returns and job creation opportunities.
Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada commended Nasarawa State Government for fostering an enabling environment for private sector participation, heralding a new era of economic growth in the state.
Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Yakubu Kwanta, lauded Governor Sule’s unwavering commitment to driving progress and development in the state. The event culminated in an inspection tour of the facility by dignitaries, symbolizing the collective efforts towards harnessing the potential of the mining sector for sustainable economic development.