The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, briefing newsmen in Abuja
Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has dismissed claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the Federal Government violated the federal character principle by siting a gold refinery in Lagos.
The ministry described the allegation, contained in a statement signed by NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Mr. Segun Tomori, Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said the minister never announced that the Federal Government established or owned a gold refinery in Lagos or anywhere else.
“There was nowhere in the Minister of Solid Minerals announcement that the Federal Government owned or established a gold refinery in Lagos or anywhere for that matter,” Tomori said.
“Dr Dele Alake was very clear, concise and emphatic in the announcement of the proposed inauguration of the refinery, that other gold refineries are in the works across the country and all privately-owned by different companies,” he added.
According to Tomori, the newly established gold refinery is an initiative of Kian Smith, a fully privately-owned mining company, aimed at developing Nigeria’s local gold industry through innovative practices.
He explained that the Federal Government does not compel private companies to locate their businesses in any specific part of the federation, noting that firms independently determine their operational and marketing strategies in line with profitability goals.
Tomori also commended the founder and Managing Director of the company, Ms. Nere Emiko, for delivering what he described as a flagship project after years of perseverance, enterprise and leadership.
He said the refinery aligns with the solid minerals sector’s value-addition policy, introduced to discourage the export of raw minerals while promoting local processing and manufacturing.
The policy, he noted, has driven the establishment of processing factories nationwide, attracting significant foreign investments and creating thousands of jobs for Nigerians.
Among projects cited were the 600 million dollars lithium plant in Nasarawa State, the 400 million dollars rare earth plant also in Nasarawa, and the 200 million dollars ASBA lithium plant in Abuja.
Tomori added that through its policy reforms, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has, over the past two years, created an enabling environment for private sector participation and growth in the mining industry.
He described the Lagos gold refinery and similar projects as evidence of the success of reforms in the solid minerals sector.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development shall continue to encourage more mining companies to set up processing and manufacturing plants across the country,” he said.
“We urge NEF to turn a new leaf and join the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to build a stronger, self-reliant economy that meets the needs of the Nigerian people.”
