The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has affirmed the resolve of the federal government to foreclose the acquisition of mining licences by prospective investors without requisite plans for local value addition.
Alake also stated that the government’s stance now prohibits the exportation of mineral resources such as lithium, gold, and similar commodities. Instead, these minerals must undergo processing within Nigeria, fostering increased value and local benefit for the communities where they are sourced.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, said the minister gave the commitment while playing host to members of the House Committee on Solid Minerals on an oversight visit to the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, the government has also finalised plans to incorporate a new security outfit with the existing structure of the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps to secure the nation’s natural resources through the infusion of technology and specialised training.
