President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has performed a groundbreaking ceremony to begin the construction of a $250 million lithium factory in Nasarawa State.
The mega factory when completed would process 18,000 metric tons of lithium per day and 4.5 million metric tons annually.
Inaugurating the Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited factory in Endo community of Udege Development Area in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state, President Tinubu said that “the construction of the factory project was in line with his administration’s industrialisation policy directed at providing adequate energy for the country.”
Represented by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, the President commended the company for initiative and for working in line with Nigerian government policy.
He assured the President of Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited, Pan Quen of the Nigerian government’s support.
“I want to congratulate this company for the feats recorded in Africa with a greater interest in Nigeria. Under this administration, we shall do everything possible to discourage the carting away of our solid minerals without value addition.
“I want to emphasize the fact that the era of exporting raw solid minerals from Nigeria is over. To further demonstrate our seriousness to stop the illegal export of our solid minerals, we are collaborating with the Customs to detect both major and minor raw materials from the ports,” the Nigerian President said.
He said; “Your decision to set up a factory to make lithium batteries is a welcome development that will not only add value to the nation’s product, but create direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.”
President Tinubu gave an assurance the government would put in place measures to create enabling environment for their operation in all their establishment in the country.
He said; “We will support and turn around this idea into reality because you have dared to enter into a terrain that others have been too scared to venture into. I am convinced that my presence here will give you the boost to deliver this project according to specifications. This bold move marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s journey towards industrialization and energy independence.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
