Featured Industry & Commerce Manufacturing

Bitumen exploration set to commence in Ondo

By Meletus EZE

The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Thursday said the mining and exploration of bitumen in the state would commence before the end of the year.

Akeredolu made this known in Akure during a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb.  Paul Arkwright.

TBI Africa reports that Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State has a huge deposit of bitumen said to be the largest in Africa and second largest in the world.

TBI Africa also reports that the Federal Government had awarded a mining licence to Ondo State Government on July 18, 2017.

The governor said equipment for mining was already being shipped into the country while Southwest Bitumen Company would soon debut.

Akeredolu further said Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the state would be better only when economic activities pick up. “We are trying and the IGR has improved a little, but it could still be better. We will make the best of what we have.

“Ours’ is a civil service state. We are just trying to bring in one or two industries to shore up our IGR,” he said.

Earlier, Arkwright said the governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday in Ekiti State  must be free, fair, peaceful, credible and acceptable to all.

Arkwright said he would lead a large group of observers from the British High Commission in  Abuja and Lagos to monitor the exercise.

He urged security agencies to ensure residents of Ekiti were protected before, during and after the election.

“Security personnel have the responsibility to ensure the safety of lives of every citizen of the state.

“Citizens of the state should be allowed to freely vote according to their conscience for any candidate of their choice and their votes must also be made to count.

“We do not support any political party, but we do support a credible process and we are here to observe that,” he said.

The ambassador added that he was in Ondo State to discuss some of the economic opportunities  available in the state.

He pointed out that creating jobs, especially for the youths, would go a long way in developing the state and boosting  its economy.

“More young Nigerians are fast coming up into the job market,  so creating jobs and investing in employment opportunities for them is a priority for me.

“Bringing British expertise and companies into the state are also ways to help reduce the rate of unemployment in the state and the county at large,’’ he said.

Arkwright further stated that the British government would  assist the state to revive its cocoa  industry.

Related posts

8 Nigerian academics, 7 others inducted as SHELL renews sabbatical, research positions

Editor

Reps to investigate NNPC fuel subsidy claim from 2017-2021

Our Reporter

Ikorodu residents appeal to LASG over deplorable roads

By Kunle SHONUGA

Algeria to maintain foreign ownership limit in new energy law

By Kunle SHONUGA

18.75% MPR: manufacturers lament as savers revel 5.24% interest on savings

Editor

Osinbajo inaugurates TraderMoni in Owerri

Editor