Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) don dismiss allegations from Northern Elders Forum (NEF) wey claim say Federal Government site one gold refinery for Lagos against federal character principle.
Di Ministry describe di allegation, wey NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere sign, as false and misleading. According to dem, no gold refinery wey Federal Government own dey Lagos or anywhere else for Nigeria.
MSMD explain say di gold refinery wey NEF refer to na private-sector project by Kian Smith, one 100 per cent privately owned mining company. Dem say di refinery set up to support Nigeria local gold industry through innovation and value addition.
Di Ministry clarify say at no time Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, talk say Federal Government establish or own any gold refinery for Lagos. Instead, di Minister clearly state say different private investors dey develop gold refineries across different parts of di country.
Federal Government also congratulate di Founder and Managing Director of Kian Smith, Ms Nere Emiko, for her determination and leadership to deliver di project after many years of effort.
For statement wey Special Assistant on Media to di Minister, Segun Tomori, issue, MSMD say di refinery come directly from di value-addition policy wey di Ministry introduce two years ago. Di policy dey discourage export of raw minerals and encourage local processing and manufacturing.
According to Tomori, di policy don help attract serious foreign investment and create thousands of jobs for Nigerians. E list projects like $600 million lithium plant for Nasarawa State, $400 million rare earth plant also for Nasarawa, and $200 million ASBA lithium plant for Abuja.
MSMD also criticise NEF, saying di quality of leadership for di group don drop compared to wetin e be before. Di Ministry question how NEF expect Federal Government to force private company choose where to locate im business.
“How Federal Government go force private company to site im operations for one area, when every business get im own marketing and operational strategy to make profit?” di statement ask.
Di Ministry further accuse NEF of failing to do basic research before making di allegation, saying di action fit cause unnecessary mistrust and tension.
MSMD reaffirm say di reforms wey dem don carry out for past two years focus on creating enabling environment for private investors to succeed for mining sector. Dem say di Lagos gold refinery and other processing plants across Nigeria show say di policies dey work.
Di Ministry also call on NEF to support efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build strong, self-reliant economy wey go benefit all Nigerians.
