On Wednesday, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development sprang into action, forming a 10-person team to oversee the launch of salt and kaolin production on an industrial scale.
After the government decided to make diversifying the economy through the solid minerals industry a priority, the time was right to make the change.
Dr. Mary Ogbe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development/Steel Development, was quoted as saying at today’s inauguration ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja that the initiative to explore and exploit salt and kaolin is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu-led administration to increase domestic use, capacity for export, and employment opportunities.
The ten-person committee was charged with determining the following: how much brine, rock salt, and kaolin there is in Nigeria; where these deposits can be found; how many licences have been issued for their exploration and exploitation; and how much it would cost to explore these sites to determine the quantity of brine, rock salt, and kaolin there.
Offer suggestions for how the Nigerian government may go forward with plans to construct salt and kaolin processing plants within a specified time frame, and make any other suggestions you feel would be helpful in getting the sector off the ground.
She said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has encouraged us to believe in our country and develop it, as we do not have another country in his Renewed Hope Agenda to shift the narrative and kick-start the growth of our nation.
“Because of this, the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, is keen on expanding salt and kaolin discovery, exploitation, and processing in Nigeria, both for domestic consumption and for export.
According to Jerrymusa.com this would offer work for Nigerians, conserve foreign cash, and enhance our economy.”
The committee was given a deadline of 15 days to complete its report because of the importance of the task.
The CEO/Director General of the Nigerian Council of Mining Engineers and Geoscientists will preside over the 10-person committee.
Zachaeus Opafunsho, while Mrs. Salamatu Umar serves as Director of the Ministry’s Special Duties Department.