Gov Sule Woos Indigines To Invest In Lithium Processing 

Governor Sule made the call while commissioning a 40 tonnes per day lithium processing plant built by a private firm, Asgard Mining and Processing Plant in Roguwa, Karu Local Government Area.

According to the Governor, indigenes of the state should emulate the owners of Asgard Mining and Processing Plant by setting up factories that would process lithium.

He stressed that Asgard Mining and Processing Plant is processing lithium in Roguwa, where there is no mining site but that they are willing to purchase lithium from available sources in the state.

“If you look around, there is no mining site here. If you look around, there is no lithium here. That is the essence of why I am here so that our people of Nasarawa State should get to understand that” Sule said.

“Owners of the Asgard Mining and Processing Plant said they are taking the lithium from available sources and be able to add value to it right here on site. That is a statement that I want those who can afford in Nasarawa State to copy from this gentlemen.”

“We need several of these kinds of factories in Nasarawa State, and the state can accommodate another one hundred of such facilities. We can only do that if people begin to see the import of people from other states coming into our state to invest,” he stated.

Governor Sule explained that the project is not expensive such that an investor with ten to fifteen million Naira can invest and operate a lithium processing factory.

“With all sense of humility, this is not an expensive project. This is not a 15 or 20m USD project. It’s a project that our people can afford to do and in order for our people to add value to society. Instead of taking 10m or 15m and keeping it somewhere, you can invest it into this kind of project so that at the end of the day, it add value to the community and the community will gain from it,” he said.

He pointed out that Nasarawa State is blessed with several mineral resources some of which are even yet to be discovered.

The Governor disclosed that a recent study indicates that there are massive deposits of tin around Mil Uku in Gudi, through Rinze Junction, which subsequent governments can harness to the benefits of the people of the state.

“Other governments can come in and they can have something to show for it and develop it for the good people of our own state.  Because there are so many other things being discovered every day. The precious metals that we are talking about we did not even start touching them in Nasarawa State,” he added.

He however emphasized that these blessings could only be harnessed if the people live in peace with one another.

Governor Sule appreciated the promoters of the project in Roguwa for aligning themselves with the policy thrust of not only his administration but that of the Federal Government under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, especially on value addition.

“We are looking at those who would continue to add value. You have indeed shown us practically that simple things could be done to add value to society. I want to thank you sincerely for selecting Nasarawa State for that purpose,” he added.

He equally thanked the Esu Karu, HRH Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba, the Yakanaje, HRH Alhaji Dr Ahmed Abdullahi Hassan, people of Karu Local Government Area and Roguwa, the host community, especially for maintaining the peace and accepting investors to come to the community.

The Governor used the opportunity of the event to recall how the Esu Karu intervened to make a piece of land available for the Renewed Hope Housing Project to be implemented in the state.

“Just two days ago, we delivered a C of O to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development. What happens is that Mr. President is interested in ensuring that the people of Nigeria will continue to be homeowners.  He came up with this policy of ensuring that every Nigerian has a right to own a home. So we came up with the Renewed Hope Housing Project.  The first of such was flagged off in Abuja, where President Tinubu performed the groundbreaking.

“Mr. President and the Minister have decided that the next beneficiary of the housing project would be Nasarawa State.  That is the reason why I felt it’s important enough for me not just to invite them to Nasarawa but to take a piece of land that is ready for this development to them at the Ministry,” he said.

Obinna Anaekwe, Managing Director/CEO of Asgard Mining and Processing Plant, thanked Governor Sule for maintaining peace, and security in Nasarawa, providing them with thriving environment for their business to blossom.

Anaekwe underscored the significance of industrialization, adding that the only thing that is remaining is the full industrialisation of the country.

“And we are happy to start here with Nasarawa.  Industrialisation can bring about employment, infrastructural development, and job creation and also help us flourish with the economy.  It’s by working together that we can achieve these benefits. Let us embrace industrialisation as the pathway to progress and prosperity,” he said.

On his part, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon Kwanta Yakubu, noted that Nasarawa State has continued to record impressive progress in the industrialisation of the mining sector, following the favorable investment climate put in place by the present administration under Governor Sule.

“What we are witnessing here today did not come by accident, but because of the articulated agenda enunciated in the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS) which was made public at the inception of this administration,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Esu Karu, HRH Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba, commended Governor Sule for his industrialisation agenda, saying that even the Federal Government is trying to emphasize diversification from oil into many other areas of revenue generation.

The royal father also commended the CEO and management of Asgard Mining Group for deciding to establish a processing plant in Karu Local Government Area, which he said will come with its attendant benefits to members of the host community.