Solid minerals sector will thrive under Tinubu’s presidency – Bankole

A member of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Honourable Tolu Bankole has identified what he described as painstaking action plan for the Solid Minerals Sector by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his policy document, as a game changer for the Nigerian economy.

Bankole while speaking during a media parley in Abuja said, the place of Solid Minerals in the socio-economic development of Nigeria is key and with Tinubu presidency, development of this strategic sector will be duly enhanced to bring out the wealth/prosperity in mining for the benefit of locals and improved revenue for government.

He also assured Nigerians that Solid minerals will be given due attention in Tinubu’s administration which will boost Government revenue via export and also provide massive employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“Our government will make it a priority to encourage industries vital to national
development. This means growing our industrial base to provide jobs to an expanding urban population.

“Through the development of an industrial development master plan, we will:
(i) Extend tax and other credits as well as urban youth employment incentives to domestic manufacturing entities. Tariffs and other measures will be implemented to safeguard such industries.

“(ii) Encourage domestic manufacturers and producers to add value to basic products thus promoting value-added industry and production. These incentives will include lower import tariffs on semi-manufactured goods production lines such as the automotive and IT industries.

(iii) Develop major and minor industrial hubs in each geopolitical zone.

(iv) Promote IT to boost industrial
creativity while spurring the financial inclusion of larger segments of the
population by encouraging greater use of
innovative new technologies.

(v) Provide Tax credits, holidays and
reduced interest rate loans to businesses that hire a certain percent of youth in their workforce and provide genuine on-thejob training and mentoring for their young employees.

“In the North West and North East, new industrial hubs will focus on textiles. In the South East and South South, a new hub and dry port will focus investment on labour intensive manufacturing.

“In the South West, fine quality sand will be turned into the highest-quality glass items.

“In areas with deposits of clay, household items such as dishes and pottery will be manufactured.

“In the North Central, emphasis will be
placed on solid mineral exploration and exploitation.

“In the North West and North Central,
clandestine, environmentally harmful
unlicensed gold mining activities will be ended. Regulated mining will be
instituted such that environmental
protection is maintained and local
artisans and craftsmen can earn
income turning raw gold into finished
jewellery” the action plan tagged Renewed Hope reads.

“If voted into government, multinationals and local investors will be encouraged to come into the sector.
Needed support will be provided by Government. All legislations that should be amended for the effective exploration of mining in Nigeria will be done in due collaboration with state and National Assembly

“Mistakes of the current degrading ecological practices in the oil producing areas of the country will not be repeated.

“A vote for APC and by extension Tinubu/Shettima in 2023 is a vote for bold and right leadership. A vote for increase revenue and opportunities via efficient latest technology driven solid minerals development across Nigeria” Bankole said.