*102 Chinese, 800 Nigerians working on site
WorldStage Newsonline– Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has expressed satisfaction with the work done so far at the site of the a Chinese group’s $200 million lithium processing plant at Endo Community in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking on Wednesday when he paid an inspection visit to the new lithium processing plant being constructed by Jiuling Lithium and Gangfeng Lithium companies, he pledged to provide adequate security for them to operate effectively given its economic benefit to the state and Nigeria.
The group comprised of Jiuling Lithium and Ganfeng Lithium companies as major and minor investors of the project respectively.
Sule said that the inspection visit was prompted by his recent visit to the headquarters Jiuling Lithium company in China, where the management of the company promised to build a lithium processing factory in Nasarawa State.
He expressed satisfaction with the work done so far at the site of the lithium processing plant and promised the group officials of his administration’s support in providing adequate security for them to operate effectively.
The governor also promised that his administration would assist in the provision of basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply to the area to ease their operation.
“About five years ago, the insecurity in this area was very high that people deserted the area. However, today, the situation is different because the Federal Government worked with us and we have been able to provide the Military Super Camp that you see very close here.
“Apart from that, the state government would provide roads, water supply and electricity. We are working with the Federal Government to see how the high tension line around here can be dropped here for your use in the plant,” he said.
He also assured the group of the federal government’s interest in the project in ensuring smooth operations in the state during a recent meeting he had Mr Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals.
He applauded the leadership of Jiuling Lithium for matching their words with action by investing $200 million in the state as they promised during his visit to the company’s in China.
Sule also expressed satisfaction with the environmental protection mechanism put in place by the group while carrying out their operations.
“As an engineer I am satisfied with the environmental protection mechanism put in place. They have done their Environmental Impact Assessment and they are abiding by that,” he said.
The governor also appreciated the group for committing to employing Nasarawa indigenes that are technically trained and paying them a minimum of N500, 000 monthly.
“My call now is for the Nasarawa or Nigerian employees who will be working for the group. I will like for them to study areas or careers that will give them the opportunity to work in places like this,” he said.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the group, Mr Xiong Jin, Chief Executive Officer of
Ganfeng Lithium, confirmed that the group’s lithium plant in the state is worth $200 million with the first phase of the business project producing two million tonnes of lithium annually.
He said so far, 102 Chinese and 800 Nigerians mostly from Nasarawa State had been recruited and working on site of the project.
Jin said that staff recruitment was expected to surpass 1, 000 when the lithium processing plant becomes fully operational.
“Aside that, we will invest more money in the development of our host community. It’s an activity we are carrying out continuously,” he said.
He also assured that the group would prioritise capacity building, specialised training, hands-on technical guidance and skills acquisition for indigenous employees.
He, however, noted the challenges facing the project to include power infrastructure deficiency and called for support from the state government.
