President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the inauguration of Nigeria’s largest lithium processing plant in Lafia, Nasarawa State, saying it is a clear indication of the country’s attractiveness for foreign investment.
President Tinubu made the remarks on Friday in Abuja during a meeting with Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who was accompanied by Mr. Hi Yongwei, Chairman of Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, and Mr. Zhenhua Pei, Chairman, Canmax Technologies.
Avatar, a Chinese firm, built the lithium processing plant, which produces about 4,000 metric tonnes daily, while Canmax Technologies, a renowned Chinese firm responsible for over 30% of global battery material production, announced a new investment of $200 million for another lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State.
Welcoming the inauguration of the plant and the announcement of new investment plans, President Tinubu urged the Chinese firms to prioritize environmental protection, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility initiatives as integral parts of their operations.
”There are other aspects of lithium that you are exploring in the country, especially in battery production. Nigeria has a huge market for solar panels. Africa is a major consumer of solar technologies.
“I do not see why these panels and batteries cannot be produced here. The labor is cheaper. Our youths are vibrant and skilled. Our people are brilliant and adapt to new technology.
“The economy is increasingly vibrant, and Nigeria is dependable. We have the consumption capacity and a surplus of steady-handed citizens with gifted minds and an innate drive to work and produce.
”You must not leave the community in ruins as you explore for our high-grade minerals. You must be concerned with cooperation and always care for the community.
”We are caring partners. We want your investments to succeed so that you can expand further. Whenever you call on us, we will help you.
“You can, in mutually beneficial collaboration with us, dominate the solar panel market as part of a revolution in Africa and the West African sub-region.
”You can always promote the interests of China and Nigeria as the best places in Africa to do business. We are preparing to produce in this country the solar technologies that the entire continent will use,” the president said.
Tinubu also applauded Gov. Sule and the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, for their dedication to ensuring environmental protection and value addition by mining firms operating in the country.
”The Governor of Nasarawa State and the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, also share in these congratulations.
”It is a great joy to have you (the Chinese executives) in Nigeria. It is part of our campaign that Nigeria is open for business. We congratulate your courage in believing in us and the inauguration of the new factory.
”I can assure you that we will continue to give you the necessary support and encouragement. This is an opportunity for you to help tell the rest of the investment world that Nigeria is solid and open for business,” the president said.
In his remarks, Gov. Sule thanked the President for his unflinching support for solid mineral development in the country and for sending Senate President Godswill Akpabio to represent him at the inauguration.
”The company that we just commissioned today in Nasarawa is a 500-million-dollar turnover company. They are happy, and they have seen enough potential to mine lithium in the region for the next 15 to 20 years,’’ he said.
On his part, Alake said the ministry has embarked on proactive measures to address the risks posed by abandoned mines across the country, left behind by colonialists in the 1950s and 1960s.
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