By Omotayo Edubi
The Federal Government has disclosed that the Kano State Gold Souk would be completed before the end of 2022.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, revealed this in a statement issued by Mrs Etore Thomas, Director, Press and Publicity of the ministry, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adegbite who inspected the current construction of the souk said the project would be in competition with other gold souks in the world when completed.
“The Gold Souk which is being constructed in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, when completed and fully developed will rival gold souks in other parts of the world.
“The establishment of Kano gold souk is part of the current administration’s efforts to establish strategic Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining Clusters in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country.
“This is to harness the potential of the artisanal and small scale miners (ASM) operators in the country,” he said.
He further stated that the fundamental of the souk was to add value on gold mined in Nigeria.
“We want our gold in Nigeria to be enhanced here, we will add value, create jobs for our people as well as generate revenue for the government.
“It is important that we add value to our gold instead of exporting them raw.
“We will make jewelries such as bangles, wristwatches, necklaces and so on and then people will know that there is a gold souk in Nigeria where they can visit and buy just like other parts of the world.” Adegbite said.
Adegbite urged the contractor to boost its speed while adhering strictly to the approved project masterplan.
The Permanent Secretary, Mines and Steel Development, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, said the ministry would do everything within its mandate and power to support the project.
Akinlade said that the Federal government approved the establishment of the clusters in all the six geopolitical zones to develop minerals available in each zone.
She said the zones and the minerals being developed include, Kaolin in the North East (Bauchi), gold processing plant in North Central (Kogi), lead/zinc in the South East (Ebonyi) and barite in the South-South (Cross River).
Others are, gem stone market in the South West (Oyo) and gold souk in the North West zone.