By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s President has urged Chinese lithium investors in Nasarawa, North Central Nigeria to pay adequate attention to the protection of environment of their host community and avoid degradation.
The Niger Delta region of the West African nation faces disturbing environmental crisis that has affected farming communities and aquatic life as a result of activities of multi-national oil companies carrying out exploration duties.
At the inauguration of Lithium processing factory built in Nasarawa State by a Chinese firm, Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, President Bola Tinubu on Friday warned the investors against leaving their host communities in environmental ruins in their exploration activities.
The inauguration took place at Kama Otto in Nasarawa Local Government Area.
Receiving a delegation from Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited and Canmax Technologies, led by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, the President commended the inauguration of Nigeria’s largest lithium processing plant in Lafia, Nasarawa State, a project that enjoyed the collaboration of the state government.
The President was represented at the occasion by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
A statement by the Senate President Media Office explained that the Nasarawa State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Sule, and his Kogi State counterpart, Governor Usman Ododo, attended the event.
The statement added that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, some federal lawmakers, former leaders of the state and traditional rulers, attended the event.
Tinubu, whose speech was read by Akpabio, said the inauguration of the Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited was an example of a good partnership between the federal government, state and investors. The President said the establishment of the Lithium company would not only create opportunities for the youth but would also position Nigeria as a key player in the global Lithium market.
This, he said, was in line with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda of diversifying the nation’s economy by leveraging on the mining sector in order to expand the country’s sources of revenue for socio-economic development.
“Realising the benefits of Lithium and other mineral resources, our administration will continue to pay particular attention to the maximum utilisation of the product for the benefit of our people.
“While we appreciate this investment in the first phase, processing of Lithium, our goal is for investors to establish factories for the complete value chain processing of Lithium and all other minerals,” the President said.
Lithium, a mineral deposit in commercial quantity in Nasarawa is a critical component in the production of glass, aluminum products, and batteries.
