TARABA STATE DEEPENS AND CONSOLIDATES IT’S MINERAL RESOURCES AS A LINCHPIN OF WEALTH CREATION.
By
Chinyemike Torti.The cornucopia of mineral resources embedded in the bowels of Taraba State which include but not limited to Barytes, Bauxite, Graphite, Limestone, Gypsum, Kaolin, Felspar, Mica, Pyrite, Uranium, Gemstone in recent months has engaged the attention of Governor.Dr Agbu Kefas fervent and march to industrialize.
Industry watchers are confident that with all the proactive investments in human capital development anchored on its comparative advantages, presents an opportunity for economic stimulation that will lead to remarkable economic growth. It must be stated with a caveat that the exploitation, extrusion, the entire value chain and gamut of production calls for substantial investments in infrastructure.
Developing these infrastructures not only support the mining industry but also leads to broader economic benefits. Improved infrastructure can enhance connectivity, reduce production costs and facilitate the movement of goods and people thereby stimulating economic growth in various sectors,.
Fundamental to bridging the investment gap is the provision of a friendly climate that can woo foreign direct investment And this include the whole gamut of functioning rail systems, good roads, stable grid electricity and telecommunications facilities.
Taraba State has gone the extra mile to walk the talk by embracing the global pivotal standards in mining to leverage the vast array of mineral resources with a vision of transforming the fortunes of the state towards a path of sustainable growth and development. A concerted effort vide prudent policies and effective governance, which will catalyse into job creation, multiple income streams, that would wean the state from the monthly Abuja statutory feeding bottle allocation syndrome. However, it is crucial to ensure that these efforts are underpinned by ethical and sustainable practices that protect both the environment and the rights of local communities by embracing the multifaceted value of mineral resources,
Driven by the motive force articulated in the foregoing precepts, Governor Kefas- an aficionado of development invited and received top-of-the range mining experts from Finland and in collaboration with Consulting firm April Benjamin & Dawn Communications Ltd whose CEO Adiya Uri Ngozichukwuka is a glitterati facilitator in mining engineering education to translate the investment perspectives to vision.
The Finnish team on arrival, hit the ground running with visits to key sites in the various mining corridors and deposits in Gembu,Wukari,Bali et al cahoots with very top government officials viz the Attorney General of Taraba State, Yakubu Maikasuwa, The Permanent secretary Taraba State Solid minerals Bureau, Mr David Matsai Angye, Chairman, House Committee on Education, Honorable Josiah Angye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education. It will be recalled that this partnership in tandem with a concordat between Taraba State and the municipality of Oulu in Finland whose motive force is to synergize in areas of mutual interests like Education and Mining. Taraba State is an official member of a confederate mining Finnish group, a conglomerate of mining whose focus is to access credible investors for responsible mining.
Taraba State has always been at the vanguard of best industry practices in mining within and outside its dominion, which quintessentially refer to mining activities and operations where environmental preservation is paramount. The Government and all stakeholders and indigenes will be actively engaged in all activities wherein host communities and state will benefit equitably share of proceeds from their soil .The team is also visited the Taraba State University where they were received by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Paul Bako which was in fulfillment of the undertaking on collaboration initiated by the State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas in Finland when he visited the University of Oulu Mining School in February. Preparations and arrangements have been lined up for this delegation to lead the Taraba State Solid Minerals Bureau to the European Union meeting to present the State as investment ready, this year. The Minister for Solid Minerals, Dele Alake will also be on ground to receive the team. This comes at a time when Taraba State is making a strong case for proper licensing of her minerals and raw materials in Abuja.
Consulting firm to the State on Education and Mining, April Benjamin and Dawn Communications Limited expounded the relentless behind-the-scenes engagements in the quest to bring Taraba State to global top of the range commodity player in the value chain of precious metals. These efforts include the building and strengthening of relevant partnerships in key developmental and economic areas like mining.
The Governor reiterated his State’s commitment to ensure responsible mining and that obviously includes the need to continuously clamp down on illegal miners who surely end up killing people and endangering others.
Chief Executive Officer of April Benjamin and Dawn Communications Limited, the consulting firm to the Taraba State Government on Education, Mining and Special Grants Projects, Adiya Uri Ngozichukwuka said the visit is a culmination of numerous engagements which have been ongoing for months.
Said Adiya Uri Ngozichukwuka “This visit by the Mining Finland Team is to specifically foster a proper Mining policy operation and enforcement for the State while opening it up for the emergence of credible international investors. Taraba State is rich beyond measures in solid minerals and indeed ready to take its pride of place as the right mining haven in Africa”, she stated.
Chinyemike Torti is a management consultant and public policy analyst.
