Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has expressed confidence on the progress of work on the first major industry in the state, being the multi-billion naira, 3000 tons per day lithium processing plant belonging to a Chinese firm, Landmark Lithium Mining Company, which is at eighty percent completion.
A visibly excited Governor Sule who inspected ongoing work at the site located in Nasarawa Local Government Area on Wednesday, said the company will be able to achieve its April target to commission the plant.
The Governor was taken round the facility to inspect the various stages of work at the factory, with the first phase already completed and with the company producing refined lithium for export.
The coming on line of the factory is a big boost for the Governor’s industrialization drive which has remain the cardinal objective of his administration.
He was taken round to inspect the various stages of production, including the grinding, seiving and packaging stages, expressing appreciation at the enormous resources and equipment committed by the company.
“First and foremost, let’s use the opportunity to thank the investors. We thank the company for the amount of effort they have been able to put in this past few months. You remember when I visited last, they told me by December at least the first phase will be completed and then they will do the test running. And Maybe by March or April we will do the commissioning.
“And from all indications, they have gone close to 80 percent completion. I believe by the end of December they should be able to do that. Because from what you have seen, they have also started the foundation for the second phase,” an excited Governor Sule said.
He particularly appreciated the fact that the company has already employed close to one thousand workers, including key technical staff.
“It’s not just that they have close to one thousand workers who are Nigerians but today they also have some of the key technical people. That is why I insisted on going to the laboratory. In a factory such as this, one of the most important area is the laboratory because that is where the analysis is being carried out. I saw the Chemist and Assistant Chemist and both of them are Nigerians,” he added.
The Governor was further impressed when he was informed about the purity of the lithium produced from the site, which stands at between 5 to 9 percent.
He commended the host community for accepting the company for which already, the Landmark Lithium Mining Company is reaching out to assist a neighbouring Fulani community.
“And I saw the dam they have and they said they are getting the water from a nearby river. They didn’t drill boreholes. Which is another fantastic coincidence. I looked at their power generation. They are generating about 8 megawatts of power but they are using only 3 megawatts of power at this moment. Which means there is room for expansion,” he explained.
While thanking the president of the company for agreeing to set up the factory in Nasarawa State, instead of places like Lagos or Port Harcourt for easy shipping, Governor Sule said he undertook the visit preparatory to the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday, so he can adequately brief Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima on the progress of work on the site.
“I want him to know that the President is very much aware of this project that is going on here and he is very happy with you. He is saying thank you for this. For us in Nasarawa State, when I became the Governor I came with this idea of industrialization. And going the factory and mines, this is really the first major industry that we have in Nasarawa State.
Governor Sule explained why he would prefer either the President or Vice President to commission the facility on completion.
“I know you want to do me a favour to be the one to commission this but believe me I prefer the President or Vice President to commission this factory so that they can be happy with you and to give you more opportunities. And I am also pushing for this factory to come on stage so that other people who are into mining of lithium, tin or columbite can also learn from you and see that it can be done in Nasarawa State,” he stated.
The president of Landmark Lithium Mining Company, who spoke through an interpreter, said the firm has already completed the first phase and have started production, with another foundation already laid for the second phase.
He assured that his company would protect the local environment.
The president expressed appreciation on the visit by Governor Sule, saying it would serve to motivate them to push for the completion of the second phase before April.
Governor Sule was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon Kwanta Yakubu, Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Hon Mohammed Sani Otoz, as well as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources, Alhaji Garba Rosha, among other top government functionaries.