The Nigerian Government has inaugurated a 10-man Committee to strengthen the mechanism for the industrial production of Salt and Kaolin in the country.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development Head of Press, Mr. Alaba Balogun who made this known in a statement disclosed that the inauguration ceremony was held at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mary Ogbe stated that the initiative to explore and exploit Salt and Kaolin aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to increase domestic use, capacity for export and boost employment opportunities.
Ogbe said: ”In order to change the narrative and kick start the development of our nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, with his Renewed Hope Agenda has challenged us to believe in our country and develop it as we do not have another country.
”It is this consideration that is behind the strong desire of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake to develop the exploration exploitation and processing of salt and Kaolin in Nigeria for Nigeria’s use and subsequent export. This will provide jobs for Nigerians, conserve foreign exchange and boost our economy.”
The Permanent Secretary charged the 10-man Committee with the following terms of reference:
“Determine the extent of deposits and locations of brine and rock salt and Kaolin in Nigeria. Determine the number and viability of licenses issued for the exploration and exploitation of these minerals. Determine the cost of exploration of those sites to ascertain the quantum of the existence of brine, rock salts and Kaolin ( if this has not been determined before). Propose the way forward to actualizing the building of Salt and Kaolin Processing plants in Nigeria with a given time frame. Come up with any other recommendation that will assist the Government in taking proactive measures to develop the sector.”
Elaborating further, Dr Ogbe gave a timeline on or before 30 November 2023 to the Committee for submission of its report in view of the urgency of the assignment.
The Director-General/CEO of Council for Mining Engineers and Geoscientists of Nigeria Professor Zachaeus Opafunsho will serve as Chairman of the Committe, while the Director Special Duties Department in the Ministry Mrs. Salamatu Umar is the Secretary.