The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has urged state governments to key into the bitumen project, which it said could change the fortunes of states across the country, as 80 per cent of bitumen used in Nigeria are imported.
The minister in charge of the ministry, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the bitumen project would commence within the next three months, adding that emphasis would be placed on exploration and exploitation of the minerals.
He added that prospective investors would be encouraged to set up processing plants, to ensure value addition and employment generation.
Fayemi said that the Federal Government would partner with the states, investors and host communities to ensure smooth coordination of the project and to ensure that international best practices were strictly adhered to.
Fayemi stated that the government was working with a renowned consulting firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, to actualise the commencement of the process by mid-year.
He said, “On bitumen, our expression of interest would start within the next two to three months.
We are working with PWC on the project. We want states to key into the project and Ogun is one of the states endowed with bitumen deposit, so we want states to take advantage of this.
“About 80 per cent of asphaltic materials used for road construction in the country was still being imported in spite of the vast bitumen deposit in the country.
Government would focus on ensuring that serious investors, who have proven work plan, financial capacity and are ready to build processing plants are given licences.”
The processing plants, according to Fayemi, would boost local production, which will in turn would help Nigeria meet local demands and create job opportunities for her teeming youths.
“The ministry would subject activities of the investors to proper monitoring in order to ensure compliance with laid down environmental and safety procedures and guidelines,” the minister added.
Restating government’s commitment to security of investment, the minister said the establishment of the Mines Police Division by the Nigerian Police as well as the emergence of the Joint Task Force on mines surveillance would put an end to criminal activities and ensure safety of lives and investments in the mines.
Nigeria is reputed for having the second largest deposit of bitumen in the world, spanning approximately 120 kilometres, stretching from Lagos to Ogun, Ondo and Edo states.
