…Describes reaction as “parade of ignorance.”
CYRIL MBAH, Abuja
Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has slammed the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for criticizing the location of a gold refinery in Lagos, describing the group’s reaction as a “parade of ignorance in the service of mischief.”
The NEF had alleged that the Federal Government erred by siting a gold refinery in Lagos, saying it violated the principle of federal character.
However, the Solid Minerals Ministry said there was no truth in the allegation, stating that the refinery was a private initiative by Kian Smith, a 100% privately owned mining company.
The Ministry said in a statement on Monday that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, had made it clear that the refinery was privately owned and that other gold refineries were being set up across the country.
The refinery was a result of the Ministry’s policy of Value Addition, which discourages the export of raw minerals and encourages local processing and manufacturing.
Apart from trading tackles with the Arewa group, the Ministry congratulated the Founder and Managing Director of the refinery, Nere Emiko, for her perseverance and leadership in delivering the project.
The refinery is expected to generate jobs and stimulate economic growth.
The Ministry expressed shock at the NEF’s statement, saying it was a sign of “debilitating degeneration” in the quality of leadership of the organization and questioned how the NEF could expect the Federal Government to force a private company to locate its operations in a particular area.
According to the statement, the Ministry has been creating the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive in the mining sector, and the Lagos gold refinery was a testament to its efforts.
It urged the NEF to conduct basic due diligence and research before making statements.
The NEF’s statement was seen as a display of ignorance and a result of deliberate mischief and the Ministry said it would continue to encourage more mining companies to set up processing and manufacturing plants across the country.
The Ministry urged the NEF to turn a new leaf and join efforts to build a stronger, self-reliant economy that meets the needs of Nigerians.
It said the NEF’s actions were not in line with the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a better Nigeria.
The statement by the Ministry has sparked heated debate on social media, with many calling out the NEF for its ignorance and lack of research.
The Ministry’s strong reaction has also raised questions about the NEF’s influence and relevance in national discourse.
The Ministry’s statement is a clear indication that it will not tolerate misinformation and ignorance in the nation’s public discourse and will continue to speak out against falsehoods and mischief.
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