Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Government has said that more than 14 investors have visited the state in less than 60 days with the view of investing their money in the solid mineral sector.
The Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Enaholo Ojiefoh, said this in Benin City.
According to him, “Upon getting the licenses, we went back to the drawing board.
“We engaged with the Community Development Associations in the communities where these solid minerals are found.
“Between December and January this year, we have received not less than 14 investors, who are all interested in bringing their money in.
“The governor has asked that this has to be transformed into money. So, we are looking at industrialization.
“A Commodities Trading and Mineral Analysis Center is being completed in Dangbala in Akoko Edo. We have had to train our staff working with a research team from the universities.
“We have professors in geology, geophysics, industrial chemistry and biochemistry working with us on the project. We have staff across the state working on identifying more minerals also.”
“We have deposits of kaolin in Ubiaja, in Edo Central Senatorial district of the State. We have gypsum in Warrake as well. The State is blessed and we are looking to drive investment with these deposits,” Ojiefoh said.
The Commissioner opined that the state government has also secured 40 new licenses for solid mineral deposits in the state through Associates Mining and Investment Company, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) promoted by the state government.
He further added that the State will rent the licenses to interested private investors to exploit the mineral deposits in the state, thus widening the scopes of doing business in the state.