The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has commended Engineer Abdullahi Sule for his remarkable efforts aimed at diversifying the economy of Nasarawa State.
Chairman of the commission, Mohammed Shehu, made the commendation when he led a delegation from the RMAFC on a courtesy call on Engineer Sule, at the Government House, on Thursday.
Shehu specifically lauded the Governor for his strides in seeing that Nasarawa State becomes an oil producing state, especially with the official flagged off of oil drilling at the Ebenyi-A oil well in Obi Local Government Area.
He equally extolled Engineer Sule’s latest foray particularly the mining of lithium by a Chinese company in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
“We have seen now that very soon Nasarawa will be declared an oil producing state and eventually along side that will be the 13 percent derivation that is given constitutionally to every producing state. This will be the beginning of the industrialization of the state.
“And your efforts are also noted in other areas of diversification of the economy of Nasarawa State. Recently, you were in the news about lithium factory that is coming in. My understanding is that they are not just coming to exploit it and take it out, they are going to process it here. There will be value-chain along the line,” the RMAFC chairman said.
Shehu also commended the efforts of the Governor in the area of technical education, expressing optimism that soon, citizens of Nasarawa State will fill up technical vacancies not only in Abuja but the country at large.
The RMAFC boss emphasized that it is the responsibility of his commission to motivate states towards diversifying their economies towards increasing their internally generated revenue.
He informed the Governor that they were in Lafia to inspect an office building allocated to the commission at the Justice Sidi Bage Federal Secretariat, in continuation of the efforts for the RMAFC to have operational offices in each of the 36 states of the federation.
Responding, Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed that other companies are showing interest in mining lithium in the state, with another company already showing interest to mine lithium in the Nunku area in Akwanga Local Government Area.
“Those are the kinds of opportunities that we have and I thank you for doing everything possible to promote diversification of the economy and by your call to various governors and especially to the National Economic Council (NEC), to ensure that we continue to diversify for the progress of our country,” he stated.
Engineer Sule also commended the RMAFC chairman and his team for their good work and for introducing reforms at the agency.
“We are going to keep doing our best like you mentioned in the aspect of lithium. Other companies are indicating interest in lithium mining here. It is also going to add to your portfolio. That it is during your period that we are beginning to see funds that are going to come from solid minerals.
“Like you rightly mentioned, all the lithium, tantalite, zinc, helium, and so many other minerals that we have, especially here in Nasarawa State, are being taken in their raw form to other countries to go and be processed.
“This time around and for the first time, we are lucky this company is coming to instal a factory because of the deposits. In one location, they are already making a factory that is processing 3000 metric tones a day.
“By producing 3000 metric tones capacity a day, they can transform into a million tones per year. They have at least 10 to 15m metric tones deposit in one location. Right now they have 50 Chinese expatriates on site and roughly 500 Nigerians that are already working for them in that location,” he added.
