Edo discovers coal in commercial quantities to compete with Enugu, others

Going by the large coal deposits discovered in Edo State, which are said to be active and in commercial quantities, the oil-producing State of Edo may be on the verge of a healthy competition with Enugu and other States that have coal mines and deposits.

Although, the volume of coal deposits in Edo State has not been declared by the Government, the official statement issued indicated that the coal is in commercial quantities and may rival Enugu coal deposits with over 300 million metric tons low-sulfur coal reserves and otherS such as Benue and Kogi States with appreciable volume of coal deposits.

Speaking on the development on Tuesday Kassim Afegbua, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said at a press briefing in Benin City, Edo State’s Capital, that the coal deposits of commercial quantities had been discovered in the State.

Afegbua said the coal deposit was discovered around Uromi Community in the Esan North-East Local Government Area.

“Edo State has huge potential in the areas of limestone, gold, and arable land. People are cultivating agricultural produce in different parts of the state. Even recently we discovered that there is coal. We have quite a number of solid minerals in the State”, he stated.

He posited that part of the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led Government’s Agenda was to stimulate investment opportunities across the State, adding that the State is blessed with enormous human and material resources.

The Commissioner, who called on more investors to invest in the State, stated that the State Government had put a functioning system in place for the ease of doing business.

“But if you don’t have a functioning system put in place, the ease of doing business may also hamper those who are willing to do business. The system must be functional. It must be robust and that shows a clear direction of what we intend to achieve as a state. So to a large extent, we are happy that we are making steady progress”, he noted.

He, however, added that besides infrastructural renewal that is ongoing across the three Senatorial Districts, the State Government is putting policies in place to stimulate investors in the State.

He also disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo had not, since the inception of his Administration, taken any loan, adding that the only loans the State Government owed are those inherited from the Administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Afegbua also added that the Government is not indebted to any contractors, stressing that they are always paid based on the submission of their work certificates.

He urged the contractors to utilise the remaining aspect of the dry season to speed up activities with respect to road construction, school renovation, among others.