Tinubu in Nasarawa, pledges to develop mining sector in the state
The presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has pledged to develop the mining sector and eradicate poverty if elected as Nigeria’s president in 2023.
Tinubu stated this in Lafia, the North-central Nasarawa State capital, during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in the mining and security sectors. The former Lagos State governor said he would prioritise the resuscitation of the nation’s economy through the development of the solid mineral sector, stating that the nation is richly blessed and can cater for itself. He also appreciated the Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule for allowing him to share his vision.
Tinubu stated the benefits of harnessing the solid mineral sector, “Solid minerals and mining will play critical roles in our campaign toward prosperity and our economic offensive against poverty and underdevelopment.
“We seek to turn this economy into a more active engine of growth, productivity, jobs, and income. We seek to establish a broad-based economy that ensures broadly shared prosperity.
“The solid minerals sector contributed less than 1% to our GDP in 2020. We need to increase this amount every year. My administration will develop the solid minerals sector, establishing policies that will encourage investment for growth in that sector.”
Speaking at the session, the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, charged Tinubu to get ready to lead Nigeria to the Promised Land. He re-echoed the position of President Muhammadu Buhari that all indicators and indications point to the fact that the APC Presidential candidate is the next President of Nigeria.
On mining opportunities in Nasarawa State, Adamu said his State is endowed, “In the mining sector, every local government in Nasarawa State has a solid mineral deposit. I can say this with authority as a former Governor of this State and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals. I don’t want to say Nasarawa has potential, but I will say those huge opportunities are here.
“We are tired of potentials, we want to see the real things. Nigerians need to see the Action Plan of our candidate, and they will see what Tinubu and our party want to do. We are convinced our tomorrow will be better than our today,” he said.
Also, in his address, the Nasarawa State Governor said that Tinubu’s engagement with the mining community would also allow knowing the economic potentials of the State in mining and agriculture.
The Governor listed 20 solid minerals in commercial quantity in the State, which include lead, gold, Barite, marble, and zinc, among others.
“I thank Tinubu for visiting our states. Our people have always wanted to see you and ask questions, and you are here to answer them.”
The well-attended town hall session had in attendance the National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Governor Simon Lalong and Director-General of Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Governor of Kastina, Aminu Bello Masari, Governor of Borno, Professor Babagana Zulum, former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, former Governor of Nasarawa State and Chairman, Senate Committee on Mines and Solid Minerals, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, APC National Working Committee members, Emir of Lafia and Chairman of Nasarawa Council of Chiefs, HRH Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, APC NWC and PCC members, and important players in the mining and agro-processing sectors.
