By Emmanuel Awari -Jalingo
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has called on investors to explore Taraba State’s Minerals resources and support the state’s drive to become a major mining destination.
He made the call during the maiden Solid Mineral Investment roundtable discussion at the TY Danjuma Banquet hall Jalingo.
He said that Taraba’s mineral potential could only translate into investment when backed by credible geological data, infrastructure, security, value addition and benefits for host communities.
The Minister said the Federal Government was ready to support Taraba in turning its mineral resources into bankable investment opportunities capable of creating jobs, industries and sustainable revenue.
He commended Governor Agbu Kefas for convening the roundtable, describing it as an important step towards attracting private capital and diversifying the state and national economy.
Dr. Alake said Nigeria must reduce its dependence on petroleum and build an economy driven by production, industrialisation and responsible exploitation of its mineral resources.
He noted that growing global demand for minerals used in advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and the energy transition had created new opportunities for the mining sector.
The Minister explained that serious investors would require geological mapping, exploration, drilling, resource definition and environmental and social assessments before committing funds to mining projects.
Dr. Alake therefore urged the Taraba State Government to develop a focused pipeline of well-researched mineral projects that could be matched with investors possessing the necessary technical and financial capacity.
He commended the state government’s efforts to improve security, saying this had strengthened Taraba’s prospects as an investment destination.
The Minister also encouraged investors to look beyond the extraction of raw minerals and explore local processing and value addition to create industries around the state’s mineral resources.
Dr. Alake urged investors to explore Taraba State’s Minerals resources and support the state’s drive to become a major mining destination.
According to him, Taraba’s Minerals potential could only translate into investment when backed by credible geological data, infrastructure, security, value addition and benefits for host communities.
He commended the state government’s efforts to improving security, saying this had strengthened Taraba’s prospects as an investment destination.
In his welcome address, the Director General of the Taraba Geographic Information Service, TAGIS, Dr. Mark Maaku Joshua, said the state has considerable mineral resources capable of contributing to its development.
He said the roundtable provided an opportunity for the state, investors and development partners to exchange ideas on the best ways to harness the resources for economic growth.
Taraba state Government organized the maiden Solid Mineral Investment roundtable discussion as part of measures to ensure safe and beneficial exploration of the state’s solid minerals resources.