A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has commended the Nasarawa State governor Abdullahi Sule for attracting investors in solid minerals to the state and called on other governors in the country to emulate him.
A Chinese firm, Kenyang Mining Company, has committed to establishing a tantalite processing plant estimated to cost $250m in Udege, Nasarawa local government area of the state.
Impressed by Governor Sule’s successful journey to and from China to bring investors to the state, the chief convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, said it was a good step worthy of emulation by other governors across the country where such mineral deposits abound.
“We noted that Kenyang, which has been mining and exporting raw tantalite from Udege since 2003, has resolved to establish a tantalite processing plant in the next 24 months, which would cost the company $250m.
“We noticed with satisfaction that the agreement was reached with the governor following his trip to China on the invitation of another Chinese firm, Lovol, which sponsored the entire trip, without him expending a single kobo from the coffers of Nasarawa State throughout his one-week stay in China.
“The good news is that the governor had the opportunity to meet with the owners of a company called Kenyang, which had been in Udege since 2003.
“We are happy with the governor that he made sure that he saw all the materials they have been taking from Nasarawa Udege and to know what they have done with them over the years.
“They informed the governor that they don’t use metal to produce covers for telephones but titanium and tantalite to produce them.
“It is indeed interesting to hear that the tantalite they are taking in Nasarawa State is the tantalite in Shanghai they are giving to the only manufacturer of this cover of telephones.
“We will continue to praise Governor Sule’s efforts for ensuring that the Chinese firm Kenyang promised to set up a tantalite processing plant in Udege within the next 24 months. The company is committed to paying degree holders a minimum salary of N500 000 monthly.
“We are indeed grateful to Governor Sule that after a one-week trip to China, an industrial equipment manufacturing company primarily focusing on agricultural equipment has also committed to establishing its maintenance facility in Nasarawa State.
