By Emmanuel Acha
Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, says the Federal Government has began development of mineral resources across the six geopolitical zone of the country.
Ogah disclosed this on Monday in Enugu during the closing ceremony of the 32Enugu International Trade Fair.
The minister said the government had already commenced developing a lead/zinc processing cluster in Ebonyi and funding the detailed exploration and development of salt and limestone deposits in the state.
According to him, the initiative is part of governments regional mineral projects in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Oga said that the mineral projects were cited based on comparative advantage and was aimed at providing the necessary support for the economy.
He said that the lead/zinc processing cluster was located inEbonyifor the South East region in order to harness the abundant minerals in the area.
He said that the exploration and development of salt and limestone facilities would also serve as input materials for local fertiliser production.
According to the minister, a barite processing cluster is being developed in Cross-River State to meet the needs of the oil/gas sector and for export of Nigerian mined and processed barite.
He appealed to Nigerians to support Federal Governments efforts with business ideas and strategies forsustainablerapid economic growth and development.
Ogah advised the business community, including investors in the region, to tap into the Federal Governments policies aimed at diversifying the economy.
He said that the Federal Government would continue to provide helpful economic innovationsand investment driveplatforms like theEnugu InternationalTrade Fair.
The minister said that the trade fair had done well to keep abreast of global economic challenges by bringing economic players together to showcase their products and network for opportunities.
It has also inspired innovativepolicysolutions to unexpected new challenges in the economic environment.
I am confident that the Southeast will continue to be at the forefront ofinvestmentand industrial innovations to help steer Nigeria towards greater economic development, he said.
Ogah said that the Federal Government had introduced new ideas and strategies to stabilise and grow the economy in spite of the challenges posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The minister noted that the huge investments in critical infrastructure, including roads, railway, inland waterways, energy and agriculture had impacted positively on the economy.
The pervasive economicdisruptions induced bytheCOVID-19 pandemic have challenged nations to innovate.
One pivotal way that proactive countries are adopting to survive the challenging global economic disruptions is to accelerate the evolution of the industrial sector through innovations in the digital economy, he said.
The minister said that to build a robustand competitiveeconomy, one must adopt newtechnologies and strategies that can circumvent the limits ofinterruptionsofglobaleconomic activities caused by COVID-19.
Earlier, the President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Emeka Nwandu congratulated the exhibitors and participants for a success fair.
Nwandu commended the minister for always identifying with the chamber in spite of his tight schedules.
He said that the chamber would continue to cherish the support of relevant stakeholders in future events. (NAN)
Source: NAN News