FG promises completion of Kano Gold Souk in 2022

By Gloria Akudoro, Abuja

The Federal Government has promised to see to the completion of the ongoing Kano Gold Souk before the end of the year 2022.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite disclosed this while inspecting the construction of the Gold Souk situated at Kumbotso, Kano State on Tuesday.

He said the establishment of Gold Soukin Kano State is part of this present administration’s effort to establish Strategic Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Clusters in each of the six geo-political zones in order to maximize the potential of the country’s ASM operators.

In a press release by the Ministry, Arc. Adegbite further explained that the Gold Souk being built in Kano State’s Kumbotso Local Government Area when completed and properly developed will rival Gold Souk(s) in other parts of the world.

The  Minister who was accompanied on the inspection by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade and the Director Artisanal and Small Scale Miner (ASM) Mr. Patrick Ojeka was impressed by the level of work done even as the ground breaking took place four months ago.

He said the essence of the Gold Souk according to him is about value addition.

“We want our gold in Nigeria to be enhanced here, we add value, create jobs for our people as well as generate revenue for government.

“It is important that we add value to our gold instead of taking it out in the raw form, we will make jewelries such as bangles, wristwatches, necklaces and so on and then people will know that there is a Souk in Nigeria where they can visit and buy just like in other part of the world.”

Arc. Adegbite however, charged the contractor to work faster and smarter while adhering  strictly to the approved project masterplan.

On her part, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade, stressed that the Ministry is doing all within its mandate to support ASM. She said the Federal Government approved the establishment of Clusters in the six (6) geopolitical zones so as to develop the minerals in which each zone has comparative advantage.

She said the zones and the minerals being developed are Kaolin in the North East Zone (Bauchi), Gold Processing Plant in North Central Zone (Kogi), Lead/Zinc in the South East (Ebonyi) and Barite in the South-South (Cross River).

Others are establishment of a Gem Stone Market in the South West (Oyo) and Gold Souk in the North West Zone (Kano).