FG denies owning gold refinery in Lagos
The Northern Elders Forum's allegations that the Federal Government violated the federal character principle by locating a gold refinery in Lagos have been rejected by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
It claimed that the claims made in a statement signed by Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, were false and deceptive.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has not made any such pronouncement, according to a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by Mr. Segun Tomori, Special Assistant to the Minister.
It claimed that the claims made in a statement signed by Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, were false and deceptive.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has not made any such pronouncement, according to a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by Mr. Segun Tomori, Special Assistant to the Minister.
"The Federal Government did not possess or establish a gold refinery in Lagos or anyplace else, according to the Minister of Solid Minerals' declaration.
He stated, "Dr. Dele Alake was very clear, succinct, and emphatic in the announcement of the proposed inauguration of the refinery, that other gold refineries are in the works across the country and are all privately-owned by different companies."
According to Tomori, Kian Smith, a totally privately held mining firm, initiated the new gold refinery with the goal of advancing the regional gold sector through creative methods.
He stated, "Dr. Dele Alake was very clear, succinct, and emphatic in the announcement of the proposed inauguration of the refinery, that other gold refineries are in the works across the country and are all privately-owned by different companies."
According to Tomori, Kian Smith, a totally privately held mining firm, initiated the new gold refinery with the goal of advancing the regional gold sector through creative methods.
He explained that the Federal Government does not compel private companies to locate their operations in any particular part of the federation, as each firm has its own operational and marketing strategy to ensure profitability.
He said the Federal Government acknowledged the doggedness of the company’s founder and Managing Director, Ms Nere Emiko, for delivering a flagship project after years of perseverance, enterprise and leadership.
According to him, the refinery reflects the solid minerals sector’s response to the value-addition policy introduced to discourage the export of raw minerals and to promote local processing and manufacturing.
Tomori said the policy had stimulated the conversion of raw mineral exports into processing factories across the country, generating massive inflows of foreign capital and providing thousands of jobs for Nigerians.
He said this included the 600 million dollars lithium plant in Nasarawa state, the 400 million dollars rare earth plant also in Nasarawa State and the 200 million dollars ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.
He claimed that the Lagos gold refinery and related initiatives were unmistakable proof of the success of the solid minerals industry's reforms.
"More mining businesses will be encouraged to establish processing and manufacturing facilities throughout the nation by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
"We implore NEF to change its ways and work with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create a more robust, independent economy that serves the needs of the Nigerian people," he stated..
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