Nigeria To Begin Processing Of Raw Gold, Others –

Nigeria has begun the process of refining gold, gemstones and other mineral resources in the six geo-political regions of Nigeria.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite said this when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

According to him, adding value to the country’s mineral resources will go a long way in creating jobs and wealth for Nigerians.

He said six plants were being set up in the various regions to process mineral resources deposited in those regions.

“We have set out to do six regional projects and one of them is the gold souk in Kano, the North West region.

“Before now, our gold was being exported in its raw form for close to nothing to foreign counter for processing and we end up buying them expensively.

“We have trained people who will make jewellery and they will be resident in the plant,” he said.

He said similar plants had been set up in the North East, Bauchi for processing kaolin, while in the North Central Kogi State was chosen for establishment of a gold smelting plant .

Adegbite also said in the South West, in Ibadan, gemstone plant had been established while in the South East, lead processing plant was established in Ebonyi.

The minister said in the South South region, baryte processing plant had been established, adding that “Nigeria imports baryte to the tune of 300 million dollars every year.

The minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has said the Abuja-Kaduna train service will no longer resume today as earlier scheduled.

The minister, who stated this while on an inspection train ride from Abuja to Kaduna yesterday, said the resumption will be extended by one week to allow the passengers be properly enlightened on the new process of obtaining tickets and other requirements.

The minister also stated that the line is fully secured and ready for operations but with the new requirements for ticketing, there is need for a little extension of time maybe by days or at most, one week.

According to him, “The issue of whether the train will start tomorrow or not, we have not said the train services will start tomorrow (Monday) I want to be very categorical about that. Now, we have introduced a new system before you buy a ticket. The purchase of a ticket requires you to provide a phone number and a national identification number in order to profile because that is the beginning of the security checks.

“So, at any point in time when a train moves from one station to another we know who and who are on board. If you don’t have an NIN you are not going to board our train. It is as simple as that. if you are a minor, an adults will pay for you and will register for you and an adult can only register for not more than four minors.

“Now, we want to give sufficient time for the Nigerian public to listen to these and assimilate this new system? Because if we start Monday, a lot of people will be disgruntled.”

Adegbite