Leverage Your Mineral Assets for Industrial Growth, Shettima Tells South-East Leaders

 

Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged leaders and stakeholders in the South-East to unlock and deploy the region’s rich solid mineral resources as a strategic pathway to accelerated industrialisation and economic transformation.

Shettima gave the charge on Wednesday at the Vision 2050 South-East Stakeholders Forum with the theme, “Charting a Shared Vision for Sustainable Prosperity for South-East Nigeria,” held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.

He said the Federal Government is aligning national development priorities with regional aspirations, noting that policy direction, resource allocation and political will are being coordinated to support the Southeast Vision 2050 agenda.

According to him, the South-East occupies a strategic position in the country’s development drive, particularly because of its strong entrepreneurial base and productive human capital, which he said can power mineral-based industrial growth.

The Vice President urged political, business and community leaders in the zone to rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic and governance reforms, insisting that collaboration across regions remains key to sustainable national progress.

Shettima also commended Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for his handling of the Amasiri and Oso Edda crisis, describing his intervention as balanced and peace-oriented. He expressed confidence that the reconciliation process initiated by the state government would yield enduring stability.

In his presentation, Governor Nwifuru said Ebonyi State is pursuing a deliberate minerals and agro-based industrialisation strategy aimed at boosting both regional and national productivity.

He listed the state’s major mineral deposits to include lead, zinc, limestone, salt and granite, stressing that the government is prioritising formal licensing, credible investor selection, host community participation and local value addition.

He disclosed that plans are underway to establish at least two cement factories in the state, citing the availability of key raw materials such as limestone and gypsum.

The governor added that the state is also developing capacity for lead and zinc processing to support metal fabrication industries, as well as expanding salt processing for use in food and chemical production chains.

Nwifuru welcomed the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, SEDC, and called on governors and stakeholders across the zone to support its programmes to ensure the realisation of long-term regional development goals.