By BASHIR ADEFAKA
It has been said that through harnessing the potentials of National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), Plateau State shall be properly positioned to receive 13 percent mineral derivation from Abuja.
This was said as the need to vigorously increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state through mineral proceeds was emphasised by the Director General/Chief Executive, National Metallurgical Development, Centre, Jos, Engr Prof. Linus O. Asuquo.
Prof Asuquo spoke while playing host to the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, RT.Hon Abok Nuhu Ayuba, who was accompanied by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Naanlong Daniel, during a one-day working visit to the NMDC in Jos, recently.
The DG/CE reminded the Speaker and his entourage that considering the mineral deposits in Plateau State, the state has no reason to complain of lack of revenue rather has all it takes to lend money to other neighboring states.
He informed the Speaker that there were over ninety mining companies in Plateau State in the 1970s owing to the abundant mineral deposits in the state but that, ironically, non still exists.
Details of the visit were given in a statement sent to The DEFENDER early Friday February 26, 2021 by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the NMDC, Mr. Sunny Eweama.
According to Eweama, Asuquo said that today there are over forty-four mineral deposits certified across the country with greater percentage of the deposits available in Plateau State.
He challenged the state government to go back to the basis to maximize its Internally generated revenue through exploration, mining and processing of the natural abundant mineral deposits in the state.
The DG/CE while accompanying the Speaker on facility tour at the centre told him that NMDC as a Research Agency is mainly involved in mineral processing and beneficiating.
According to him the State or even LGAs can obtain Mineral Titles from Mining Cadestra Office of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and venture into mining and processing of different minerals in the state.
Prof. Asuquo enumerated the minerals available in Plateau State to include Tin, Coal, Columbyte, Barite etc. He said that Plateau State is privileged to have a trans- African rated research Agency like NMDC situated in it domain pointing out that collaboration between the state and NMDC will not only boost the state’s I G R, reduction of unemployment but reposition it to its original pride of place in the mineral map of Nigeria and Africa at large .
The Speaker RT Hon Ayuba in his response expressed his shock for what he called unprecedented transformation taking place at NMDC. He told the DG/CE that it only a passionate and God spirited individual that can do what he is doing in terms human and infrastructural development.
The Speaker said during his school days Passing through NMDC the compound would remind one of antiquated ruin abandoned for decades but what he saw in the visit showed that with the new NMDC, there is hope for Plateau State and Nigeria at large.
Hon.Ayuba informed the DG/CE and his management team that he was impressed by what he saw on ground while promising to woo the State Governor to visit the Centre and see things for himself so as to finalize the collaboration process.
The Speaker while touring the facilities thank the Federal government for considering Plateau State as the appropriate state to site such an Economic- Indispensable Research Institute that is capable of becoming the industrial hub of Africa if properly utilize. He equally promised that the House under his leadership will explore all legislative avenue to add value to the Centre.
He appealed to government to adequately finance the Research Centre so that it can compete favourably with its counterparts in the develop economies .
