Abakaliki, Nigeria – The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has canvased the reassessment and rejuvenation of approaches to Nigeria’s economic diversification through the solid minerals sector.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, made the call in Abakaliki, during a strategic engagement on standardisation of solid minerals activities for export competitiveness in Ebonyi.

Ayeni, represented by the NEPC Deputy Director, Solid Minerals Directorate, Mrs Ngozi Ibe, said such assessment was apt as global economic trends are challenging Nigeria’s revenue streams.

“The NEPC recognises the contributions of the solid minerals sector to non-oil portfolio and the tremendous opportunities in achieving greater economic potentials through it.

“The mandate of NEPC is to promote the development and diversification of Nigeria’s export trade.

“This engagement is a critical step in this process as it provides a platform for us to share ideas and encourage processors for value addition along the solid minerals value chain.”

Ayeni said Ebonyi is richly blessed with untapped solid minerals such as limestones, lead, zinc located in places such as Uburu, Okpoto, Ameri–Ikwo and Enyigba, among others.

“Ebonyi also hosts strategic mineral concentrations vital for global supply chains which include: gold, Columbite used for jewelry, smartphones and renewable energy, among others.

“It is therefore essential to change the narrative in Ebonyi by embracing strategic steps to formalise and standardise the mineral potentials in its localities.”

She said that such standardisation can be achieved through formalised mining cooperatives, capacity training, skills revolution, establishment of processing facilities among others.

The State Coordinator of NEPC, Mr James Ajayi, said that the programme was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to attain sustainability in the solid minerals sector, especially in mining.

“The huge potentials in the sector can serve as an engine of growth for the country and a way to diversify from other sectors.

“Players in the sector’s value chain are, however, yet to record outstanding performances owing to the lack of fund and illegal mining, among others.”

Goodwill meassages were delivered on the occasion by representatives of the Ebonyi government, the Bank of Industry and other stakeholders in the solid minerals sector.

Presentations were made at the event on standardisation and certification for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM).

Formalisation of ASM activities, challenges and opportunities for Nigeria’s solid minerals export, financial opportunities in solid minerals development among others, were presented at the event.