Akoko-Edo Local Government Area chairman, Hon. Tajudeen Alade Suleman Esq, has disclosed that plans are underway by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to commission industrial projects in the local government before the end of his tenure in November 2024.
Hon. Alade, who made this disclosure during a meeting with the Commissioner for Energy, Mines and Power, Hon. Enaholo Ojeifo at his office, advised all in the locality to work together, irrespective of political affiliations, to ensure that Akoko-Edo becomes industrially and economically viable.
“The commissioner is not from here but you’re all aware of his numerous engagements and passion to engender development and this is very well appreciated. Akoko-Edo is highly mineralized and our audacious hope mantra is about delivering true governance to our people,” he said.
The chairman also commended the commissioner and his team for their dedication in the discharge of their duties, explaining that security is key to checkmating the influx of people to the local government area when mining sites are eventually opened for business.
The helmsman noted that as a member of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), machinery had been put in place to drive security in the local government area, harping on the need for all parties involved to synergise in order to make Akoko-Edo safer, more industrialized and economically viable.
On his part, the commissioner for Energy, Mines and Power, Hon. Enaholo Ojeifo said the state government had concluded plans to commission the Gold and Data Analysis Centre in Dagbala as well as the 200,000 Calcium Carbonate Industry in Lampese in the coming days, explaining that his passion for Akoko-Edo is driven by the need to help reshape the locality leveraging its abundant mineral deposits for sustainable development.
Hon. Ojiefo further advised miners to eschew all infighting and work together in order to improve the mining sector in Akoko-Edo, adding that the state government had provided equipment to enable miners get back to business as quickly as possible.
The commissioner, who harped on the need for miners to ensure payment of surface rents and royalty, noted that community development, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) would guarantee social amenities for locals.
He enjoined them to contribute towards the Security Trust Fund designed by the government to guarantee adequate security in mining sites and the communities, stating the importance of profiling all miners and workers in the sector as a way of boosting security.
He further advised miners to work with the chairman and the council who would be collaborating with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), saying the chairman would be monitoring the activities of the miners in order to ensure they operate under best acceptable practices.
Highpoint of the meeting was an inspection tour round all sites earmarked for commissioning by the local government chairman, the commissioner and members of their entourage.
