By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
In her quest to enhance the economic value of gold in the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, has commissioned the Gold Processing Plant in Mopa, Mopa-Muro, local government area, LGA, of Kogi State in North Central Nigeria following successful completion of the project.
Performing the inauguration on Tuesday, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite pointed out that the informal trading of unprocessed gold had led to capital flights and the siting of the Gold Processing Plant in Mopa is part of Federal Government’s resolve to develop the downstream segment of the mining sector to facilitate better product pricing, job creation, improved revenue generation while attracting foreign markets to Nigeria.
The Minister explained that the choice of Mopa as a location for the gold processing plant was predicated on its central position on the Schist Belt which trends from the Northwest through Western Kogi State to Southwest Nigeria, a statement signed by the head, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Funmi Imuetinyan, said.
He further explained that the Nigeria Schist Belt is known to host rich deposits of gold and the location of the gold processing plant in Mopa will ensure that Artisanal and Small-cale gold operators within the Schist Belt States can easily have access to the plant for their gold processing and refining activities respectively.
Giving a description of the project, the minister noted that the project is designed based on the cluster concept which has become a global trend in industrial development to promote shared amenities, agglomeration of similar producers, customers etc. based on geographical proximity or access to complementary expertise to promote efficiency and increase specialization and production.
He said the facility houses state-of-the-art gold processing machineries and equipment, over 30 stalls, administrative block, training section, MMSD office, stable power supply, etc.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, said the conceptualisation of the project was a fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and instead of dishing out cash or other material gifts to the people to cushion the effects of the Pandemic, the ministry embarked on a more strategic people-oriented project that is sustainable and economically viable to trigger capacity development, job and wealth creation for the people.
Dr. Akinlade noted that the commissioning of the project marked the beginning of the unlocking of prosperity of the land, and of all the states in the North Central geopolitical zone and by extension Nigeria.
She also took time to appreciate the Mopa community for heartily embracing the project while urging them to protect the facility.
On his part, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Solid Mineral Resources, Engr Mohammed Yusuf, said the government and people of the state were overwhelmed with joy as the government found them worthy to site such an important project in the state, promising more synergy between the state and the federal government.
In his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty, the Elulu of Mopa, Oba Julius Joledo, whose message was read by Oba of Odole, Oba Bayo James Aje, appreciated the federal government for siting the project in their community. While promising that the people would protect the facility, he urged the government to provide it with adequate security and consider the youth of Mopa for employment at the plant.
Giving the vote of thanks, the Director, Artisanal and Small-scale Mining of the Ministry, Mr. Yunusa Mohammed, thanked the Honourable Minister, Permanent Secretary, traditional rulers and people of Mopa for gracing the occasion and urged the people to protect the facility.
Mining Equipment were presented to mining cooperatives thereafter.