Kaduna Fair focuses on developing solid minerals value chain for industries

As oil market crash continues to expose Nigeria to a number of volatilities, the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) has chosen to pay closer attention to the country’s solid minerals value chain to ensure it serves industries and the economy efficiently.

Themed ‘Promoting Solid Minerals Sector for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria’, the 37^th edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair is targeted at complimenting efforts of the Federal Government in its attempt to diversify the economy away from oil and ensure it becomes a major revenue and job generator.

The fair will take place at the Kaduna International Trade and Investment Centre, Kaduna-Zaria Road, Rigachikun, Kaduna.

“Solid mineral is a neglected sector,” said Abdul Alimi Bello, president, KADCCIMA, at a press briefing weekend in Lagos.

“This is what God has endowed us with, but we have not tapped into it. A lot of mining has been going on, whether legally or illegally. We see gold being exported from Zamfara to China and lead being moved from Abakiliki to China, but we believe this should not be so,” Bello said.

He called for a mining commission that will cater to all the issues in the sector, while also bemoaning the activities of land owners who threaten solid minerals investors even when they have obtained mining licenses.

Hajiya Muheeba Dankaka, second deputy president, KACCIMA and vice chairperson of trade fair organising committee, said participants and exhibitors are expected from various parts of the world.

“There is no doubt that the new administration is confronted with a huge financial burden partly caused by reduced federal revenues, which have been largely sourced from proceeds of crude sales. The reduction in global crude oil prices is not expected to reverse at least in the short run, thus the need to diversify the economy towards improving other sources of revenue,” Dankaka said.

She said one sector that offers a number of opportunities  is the solid minerals sector, stressing that there is the need to have a well-established transport network that will support movement of equipment to mining sites and evacuation of minerals for sale and export.

“There is the need to look at policy on artisanal mining to encourage   ‘one local government, one mineral prospect’ of the past administration,” she added.

She described the upcoming fair as Africa’s most famous fair, stressing that manufacturers, policy makers and key investors are expected, adding that all things have been put in place to ensure a secure and hitch-free fair.

Usman Saulawa, director-general, KADCCIMA, said 600 exhibitors participated in 2015, despite the election situation the, stressing that there will be a round table discussion involving all players in the solid minerals value chain on March 3.

“We are involving cement and all other players in the value chain. We will have a position and everybody will be involved,” Saulawa said.

ODINAKA ANUDU