Kogi state alone has deposits of a total of 29 mineral resources available in commercial quantities. These include coal, dolomite, feldspar, bauxite, iron ore, tar, limestone, gold etc. Each of the 21 LGAs in the state has deposits of at least 2 minerals. One of the coal-rich areas is the Okaba district of Ankpa LGA which alone holds reserves of 99 million tonnes of coal. As things stand, Kogi state alone has enough deposits of coal to supply all of Nigeria with electricity for 400 years.
Kogi state alone holds enough limestone to keep 3 giant-sized cement factories (with over 15m tons annual capacity) operational for an unbroken stretch of 99 years.
My Vision is to draw the abundant natural resources of the state into modern process of production of goods and services to create employment and reduce poverty in the state. This can be achieved by compiling and publishing of detailed data on the mineral resources in the state on the internet to attract investors.
Our dear Kogi State is blessed with abundant human and natural resources. It’s pointless having the best people, with excellent skills and relevant experience if we don’t put them in environments where they can flourish and make the best use of their talents.
Just as we will not fail in upgrading Boys Secondary School, Ochaja to College or University of agriculture and mining technology, there is also an urgent need for the establishment of University of Steel and Software Ddevelopment with a mindset to producing graduates that will turn around the steel project in future and also key into software development which is where the world is headed.
In fact, greater pressure will be mounted on the federal government to complete Ajaokuta steel complex without further delay. Private sector investment in agro – allied processing, cassava palm produce, coffee, cashew nuts, etc will be actively prompted.
We also battle ready to lead the way in demonstrating how businesses can work side-by-side with governments to promote economic development and tech-based modernization across the rural areas.
Current investors in in our cement plants and possible others will be further encouraged to establish other cement plants in other part of the state with respect to global warming.
A Kogi State Investment Agency will be established, nurtured and properly funded to form a synergy with our current institutions and industry for optimal benefits. Under our leadership, the state government agencies will be in active collaboration with CBN, SMEDAN, BOI, BOA, and others to promote industrialization in the state. Kogi state based businesses will be patronized to keep them in business.
– Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdulahi
APC Gubernatorial Aspirant, Kogi State 2019.
