By Abasi Ita, Calabar
Begins remedial work at Ndok Junction, Ogoja
Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of Cross River Northern Senatorial District has lauded the Federal Government for establishing a multi-million naira barite processing plant in the Ugaga community, Yala Local Government, the northern part of Cross River State
Senator Jarigbe who expressed delight over the development noted that “the plant will generate jobs for teeming youths, attract downstream investors in the petroleum sector while accelerating the growth of the local economy given its inherent multiplier benefits”
Speaking in a telephone interview while reacting to the inauguration of the project, the lawmaker posited that” this is a huge boost to our efforts aimed at ensuring optimum exploration of our rich endowments to drive economic growth and guarantee a prosperous future for our people”
“Cross River is exceptionally endowed by God Almighty with diverse natural resources from the creeks of Bakassi to the hills of Obanliku. Sadly, the well-crafted lofty programmes packaged by previous governments from Duke to Imoke which were meant to attract investors to our state were systematically truncated
“The reverse is the prevalent scenario as companies and investors are now fleeing our state due to heavy multiple taxes, harassments from illegal enforcement agents and worsening conditions inimical to their smooth operations, safety and security”
Speaking while inaugurating the Processing Plant, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite disclosed that with the “inauguration of the plant, Nigeria will no longer import the mineral which is an essential commodity commonly used in the petroleum sector”
In his words, before today, we were exporting raw barite ore for processing abroad, apart from depleting foreign reserves, the country was losing a lot in the value chain”
” This prompted our ministry to initiate the idea of floating a barite processing plant in November 2021. Nigeria has a 4.8 gravity standard of barite in vast quantities in parts of Northern Cross River, especially in Yala which is superior to 4.2 found elsewhere ”
” For this reason, the Federal Government opted to establish a processing plant in Ugaga, Yala to boost job creations and exports”
“The choice of Ugaga is predicated on its rich deposit in the entire South-South region as well as its proximity to Port Harcourt where barites are required for oil exploration in line with local content and value addition policy in Nigeria”
In his remarks, the Clan of Ugaga, Ogamode Ipuole applauded the Federal Government for the gesture which he maintained has provided employment opportunities for unemployed youths in the area
In a related development, Senator Jarigbe Agom has commenced rehabilitation works at Ndok Junction, Abankpa in Ogoja, the dilapidated section of the Calabar Ikom Ogoja highway leading to Benue.
The spot, over the years, has become a nuisance and death trap to motorists and has been hugely responsible for deadly vehicular accidents resulting in loss of lives and property loss of goods and fire disasters resulting from fallen petrol tankers