The Emir of Zazzau, Dr Ahmed Bamalli, has advised Kaduna State Government to reach out to investors to explore the huge untapped mineral resources in the state.
The Emir made the call at the opening of the 7th Kaduna Business Expo, with the theme, `Building a resilient Economy’, on Thursday in Kaduna.
Bamalli said the government needed to showcase more of the state’s mineral deposits to the international community.
He particularly advised the government to participate in the solid minerals exhibitions in Thailand, where global investors in the mineral sector converge.
” When I was serving in Malaysia, I invited Kaduna and other states in Nigeria to participate in certain areas of investment especially the solid minerals sector; this is one area that I feel is still untapped.
“We have all the minerals that you can think of in this state, there is need for Kaduna state to wake up and join the international community because Thailand is the hub for expo on solid minerals.
“Worldwide, people go to Thailand annually for the exhibition and that is where you meet strategic partners that will come and support what you do here.
“Support in terms of machineries, so that at least you have the technical know-how on processing, because we have very large deposits of a varieties of precious stones,” the Emir added.
He said that most Nigerian mineral resources seen at international expos were assumed to be from places like Bangladesh, Gambia and other places.
“Certainly, we have a lot to offer and we have large deposits of these precious stones.
“So, if you need any support in that regard, we can link up with the embassy and see how it goes,” he said.
Bamalli commended the state for remarkable investments made in the field of ICT and agriculture
“We are proud to say that Kaduna is still leading in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“The deployment of ICT in every sector of the economy will certainly assist the state.
“What is being done in the area of agriculture is remarkable and I hope that moving forward, the next government will build on the already laid foundation.”
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner of Business Innovation and Technology, Dr Kabir Mato said the government would continue to invest in education and business development to create jobs and grow the economy.
“The Kaduna state government has continued to make massive investments in the education sector, including digitising the operations of state-owned tertiary institutions, training of teachers and purchase of computers at the secondary school level.
“This year, the Tech Village initiative became operational, focusing on artisanal tech skills by training and equipping residents to assemble smartphones, computers, and other ICT equipment.
“Our singularity programme to prepare young people for the future when Artificial Intelligence surpasses the understanding of mankind, is also well underway,” Mato said.
The commissioner said the government had in 2020 issued 85 mineral exploration licenses, 40 quarry licenses, 15 mining leases and three small-scale mining leases.
He said that the licences and leases were for some mineral deposits available in commercial quantities including gemstones, gold, tantalite, columbite, manganese, lithium and nickel.
Mato expressed the hope that the 7th Business Expo would explore the mining industry in the state and identify progress made, challenges and prospects.
He challenged the participants to identify issues and proffer solutions toward making geo-scientific data available for improved investment decision-making.
The commissioner added that the expo should explore innovative strategies for creating access to finance for firms and businesses operating in the mining sector.
This, he said, would optimise the mining value chain, increase job opportunities and economic diversification. (NAN)
