A group, Precious Metal Gold Processors and Exporters Association of Nigeria, has sought the partnership of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the establishment of a gold-buying centre in the nation’s capital.
The National Chairman of the group, Alhaji Muhammed Ahmed Masud, made the call when he led a delegation of his executive to the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.
Alhaji Masud said the establishment of the centre would serve as the next gold trading hub, attracting investors from other parts of the globe, just as it was obtained in the gold-buying centre of Dubai Gold Souk in the United Arab Emirates.
Masud, also observed that the establishment of the centre in Abuja would further create the enabling environment to operate in line with the federal government policies on diversification of the economy to non-oil sector, particularly gold mining, processing and exporting.
“The establishment of the Nigerian gold-buying centre will no doubt generate more revenue, boost sustainable economy growth, increase investors’ traffic and create job opportunities for the country,” he said.
The National Chairman revealed that the gold mining industry contributed over US$171 billion to the global economy, noting that as a major stakeholder in the mining sector, the association’s presence in the FCT would bring all mining stakeholders together under one umbrella.
In her response, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, assured the group that the administration would partner with the association and other viable organizations on programmes and policies geared towards the development of the territory.
The Minister, who was represented by the Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Tpl. Mudiyu Mustapha, commended the association for the proposed partnership, assuring that the present FCT Administration has keyed into the federal government policy on diversification.
