At Nasarawa town hall, Tinubu pledges to develop solid minerals sector

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has promised to give more attention to the solid minerals sector to exploit the full benefits, if he emerges the president in 2023.

Tinubu said this, yesterday, during a town hall with mining and agro-processing stakeholders in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The former Lagos State governor said he would prioritise the resuscitation of the nation’s economy through the development of the solid mineral sector, adding that the country “is richly blessed” to cater for itself.

“Few nations are as endowed as Nigeria, given our industrious, energetic population and our vast inventory of land, water and natural resources. Our beloved nation has abundant, commercially-viable solid mineral deposits such as coal, limestone, iron ore, bitumen, lead, zinc, gold and a variety of gemstones.

“It is the obligation of government to use these gifts wisely to benefit the nation and improve the living standards of the average Nigerian,” he said.

On his plans for the sector, Tinubu promised to make the Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC) fully operational again.

He added that the sector would contribute more to the country’s economy by increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“We seek to turn this economy into a more active engine of growth, productivity, jobs and income. We seek to establish a broad-based economy that ensures broadly-shared prosperity for all.

“Solid minerals will play key role in our campaign towards prosperity and our economic offensive against poverty and underdevelopment. The sector contributed less than one per cent to our GDP in 2020. We need to increase this amount every year. My administration will develop the solid minerals sector by establishing policies that will encourage investment for growth in that sector.

“My administration will ensure the completion and operation of ASC under a viable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) structure,” he added.

On agro-processing, Tinubu said: “My government will continue the progress and, in particular, shall focus on expanding the development of agro-industry to boost domestic food production and enable our farmers and industrialists add value to their products.

“My agricultural policy encompasses the creation of storage facilities, affordable farm loans and mortgages, creation of modern agricultural hubs in each geopolitical zone amid other measures.”

He, however, vowed that his campaign for the country’s number one seat would be issue-based, centred on bringing prosperity to the nation.