Cross River is one of the most richly endowed states in Nigeria with vast solid minerals resources which 28 of such minerals have been identified and recorded.
Having a firm knowledge of this fact, the incumbent governor of Cross River, Senator Benedict Ayade came into government with a firm commitment to look beyond the black gold or crude oil which the Nigerian nation and its component states have over-depended on for too long.
It is based on this reality that Governor Benedict Ayade has always affirmed that he inherited a rich state, not in terms of billions or trillions of naira stashed away for the present and future generations of Cross Riverians, but the many natural resources which God has bestowed the state which we can use our human endowments, our brains to harness into productive ventures for the overall development of the state and its people.
Following the same line of reasoning, Ayade further posited that rather taxing his people who are already not financially strong, his administration will instead task the brains and come out with ways, investors who will put in their monies to develop the various mineral resources of Cross River to financially empowered and create a robust future for the state and its people.
To ensure the realization of the said objectives, the Ayade administration, through the Cross River Ministry of Solid Mineral resources, headed by an equally able lieutenant as Commissioner, George Oben-Etch is assiduously working to collaborate with serious minded investors and entrepreneurs to establish various factories and industries whose raw materials would be derived from the abundant solid minerals endowed the state by the creator, God.
The factories which the plans for their establishment are on top gear include three quarries, salt processing factory, cement and tarpaulin factories and ceramic industry.
Commissioner for Solid Mineral Resources, George Oben-Etch who disclosed this while speaking to news men in his office in Calabar recently explained that the three quarries would be sited one each in the three senatorial districts of the state, salt factory at Yala, cement factories at Akamkpa to tape the rich lime stones deposit that could still accommodate four more factories, just as ceramic and tarpaulin factories will also be established in the state to ensure the prudent exploration and exploitation of the state’s solid mineral resources to boost the revenue profile and economic empowerment of the people.
Oben-Etch who stated that Cross River is the second largest state with the largest deposit of 28 different solid mineral resources, mentioned some of the minerals to include limestone, granite, tantalite, zinc, gold, salt etc., adding, he explained that the establishment of a tarpaulin manufacturing factory in Cross River would be profitable bearing in mind the numbers of trucks which come in and out of the state on daily basis.
The Solid Minerals Commissioner further disclosed that Yala Local Government Area has over 3 Billion Cubic deposit of salt and that salt processing factory has been earmarked for the area, just as government is also planning to establish a ceramic industry in Cross River, explaining that the turning of attention to the development of solid mineral resources was Governor Ayade sincere commitment to diversify the economy even before the current nose-diving of the black gold which is Nigeria’s main commodity in the international market, and present number one foreign exchange earner.
He said the Federal Government has given a go ahead to states to explore and exploit solid mineral deposits in their domain, adding that Cross River Government under the leadership of Senator Ben Ayade is taking advantage of this window of opportunity to develop this sector to create employments for the people of Cross River and equally generate revenue for the state.
The Commissioner said that presently his ministry has sent geologists into the field who are carrying out in-depth mapping of the solid mineral deposits to determine their quality and the commercial viability of each of the solid mineral found in the state.
Oben-Etch also disclosed that recently the Government of China announced that it has earmarked 60-65 Billon US Dollars to Africa for development of the sector and stated that if the state do well, it can attract some of the monies to itself, and that they were seeking to partner with reputable investors who will collaborate with the government and people of the state to develop the sector.
The Solid Minerals Commissioner asserted that it was based on this premise that the issue of local content was of prime priority to the government, explaining that small miners of four to five persons of Cross River Origin were being encouraged to come together as a cooperative where they can access fund and technical expertise from investors who would be collaborating with government in that area, stating that this was necessary as economic empowerment of the people, according to him is a top priority to the administration of Senator Ayade.
“There is nothing in this sector which we are talking about that will not be up and running. The International development Agencies for instance is interested in developing the solid minerals sector. Canada is one of those countries that are so involved in the extraction and production of solid minerals, Australia is also one of those countries. So these are countries and areas we need to bring in investors from and the investors are ready”.
He went further to explain that “luckily for us, Cross River is considered to be one of the most secured states in the area of investment, that is why we are maintaining that security level which investors have commended and referred to us as the safest, blessed state with serene environment in Nigeria”, the Commissioner stated.
Speaking further on partnership, the Commissioner said that they have been able to conclude arrangement with PW to come in and partner with government as well as other companies to come up with their equipment, while the government provide the license and regulate the operation, adding that by so doing the revenue profile of the state would bolster, as well as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria and Africa.
Oben-Etch who called on Chiefs of solid minerals bearing areas to stop giving consent to every person who approaches them to invest in their areas explained that the ministry of solid minerals is now set to ensure that things are done right and that due diligence is follow and that companies are set up in accordance with best international practices and safety.
The solid minerals based industries already mentioned to be established through the instrumentality of the Cross River Ministry of Solid Minerals, will in addition to other industries and factories such as the going garment factory, the Rice city and pharmaceutical factory which clearing is ongoing in the sites, among others are meant to properly place Cross River at the top chart of economic and industrial giants not only in Nigeria and Africa, but globally.
- Ulayi is a media aide to Governor Ben Ayade
