…promises full completion, operation of Ajaokuta Steel Company
The Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that his campaign for the nation’s number one seat will only be issue-based, centred on bringing prosperity to the nation.
Tinubu made this disclosure at a Town Hall Meeting held in Lafia, Nasarawa State Capital with the mining and agro-processing stakeholders on Thursday.
The former Lagos State governor promised to 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.
“We, the APC, shall continue to stand before the Nigerian people to discuss the real issues of the day and offer insight into the policy solutions we intend to deploy to solve them. In this, we remain the best and only hope for progressive good governance in Nigeria,” he said
“Few nations are as well-endowed as Nigeria, given our industrious, energetic population and our vast inventory of land, water and natural resources. Our beloved nation has abundant, commercially viable solid mineral deposits such as coal, limestone, iron ore, bitumen, lead, zinc, gold and a variety of gemstones. “It is the obligation of government to use these gifts wisely to benefit the nation and improve the living standards of the average Nigerian,” he said.
Highlighting his plans for the sector, Tinubu promised to make the Ajaokuta Steel Company fully operational again adding that the sector would contribute more to the nation’s economy by building the GDP.
“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 for all.
“Solid minerals and mining will play key roles in our campaign toward prosperity and our economic offensive against poverty and underdevelopment.
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“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.
“My administration will ensure the full completion and operation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company under a viable Public-Private Partnership structure,” he added.
The former lawmaker also said his administration would enact legislative reforms and forge strategic partnerships with private sector investors with requisite skills and proven capacity to support investment in the mining sector.
On agro-processing, Tinubu added, “My government will continue the progress and, in particular, shall focus on expanding the development of agro-industry to boost domestic food production and enable our farmers and industrialists to add value to their products.
“My agricultural policy encompasses the creation of storage facilities, affordable farm loans and mortgages, creation of modern agricultural hubs in each geopolitical zone amid other measures.”
He thanked the Nassarawa State Governor,Abdullahi Sule for giving him the opportunity to have heart-to-heart talks with the miners in the state.
In his welcome address, Governor Sule said, Tinubu’s engagement with the miners in the state would afford the opportunity to know the economic potentials of the state especially in mining and agricultural sectors.
According to the governor,no fewer than twenty solid minerals which include lead,gold, Barite, Mable and Zinc among others present in the state in commercial quantity.
“I thank Asiwaju Tinubu for visiting our states and our people have always wanted to see you to ask you questions and you are here to answer their questions,” the governor said