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Abuja solid minerals to be tapped soon
— Minister
IN a fresh move to
boost its revenue base, the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT)
will soon commission a study on solid minerals potentials of the nation’s
capital.
The FCT minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai,
said that preliminary study, which will be conducted on the minerals base of the
area, is to be made available to potential investors in the territory.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of
the MFCT, Mr. Deji Omotade, the minister made the disclosure at the 5th Abuja
National Trade Fair which held at the Abuja Trade Fair complex along the Airport
road.
Mr. Omotade, in his address said that one
of the major problems entrepreneurs complain about is the unavailability of the
land noting that FCT has responded to it with its land reforms which has
liberalised land allocation for business purposes.
He particularly emphasised that because of
FCT’s understanding of land as a vital factor in the development of the
potentials of a region.
He added that the Abuja Investment and
Properties Development Company (AIPDC), among other parastatals, have been
structured to effectively ensure service delivery to the people.
The permanent secretary mentioned that
opportunities abound for investors in the area of industrial estate, real estate
development, tourism and transportation.
He maintained that FCT in line with the
provision in its masterplan, is exploring the possibility of the private sector
contributing to its development through a public-private sector partnership in
providing infrastructure, development of schools, hospitals and clinic, on
build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis especially within the satellite towns
and area councils.
The permanent secretary, was conducted
round FCT and other participants pavillions.
Earlier, in his presentation, chairman of
the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hon. Zaphanah Bitrus Jisalo, who
welcomed guests, called on investors to be part of the vast potentials available
in the municipal zone which he described as boosting of conducive weather good
for commercial and farming activities, including providing a peaceful
environment for business and residence.
The AMAC chairman disclosed that his
administration has set up a small and medium scale industrial committee in order
to speedy industrial and economic growth of the council.
He announced that AMAC also boasts of
wonderful recreation centres, hotels of class and impressive social services,
that should encourage investors to come and invest in AMAC.
In a remark, the president of the Abuja
Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), Sir Peter Okolo,
told the gathering that the trade fair was adversely affected by the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) organised strike.
While assuring that the chamber will guard
against similar incidents that could reduce the participation level, he
disagreed that the fair was a failure.
Meanwhile, while declaring the trade fair
closed the MFCT permanent secretary Mr. Omotade, who was the chairman of the
occasion, thanked the organisers for their initiatives which he said will
improve small and medium enterprises particularly.
He howevr, advised abuccima that future
fairs be made more elaborate promising that the ministry will assist in future.
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