Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has dismissed claims by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), that the Federal Government plans to establish a gold refinery in Lagos, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
The NEF had earlier, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, argued that siting a gold refinery in Lagos would amount to a violation of the federal character principle.
However, responding in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, Mr Segun Tomori, refuted the claim, explaining that no such government decision had been announced.
Tomori said the minister never said the Federal Government owned or was establishing a gold refinery in Lagos or anywhere else in the country.
According to him, the refinery in question is a wholly private investment by Kian Smith, adding that the ministry has no authority to dictate where a private investor should locate a business.
“Dr Dele Alake was very clear, concise and emphatic in the announcement of the proposed inauguration of the refinery, that other gold refineries are in the works across the country and all privately owned by different companies,” Tomori said.
He explained that the Lagos refinery is an initiative of Kian Smith, a fully privately owned mining firm, designed to support the growth of Nigeria’s local gold industry through modern and innovative methods.
Tomori further said the Federal Government does not compel private firms to establish their operations in specific locations, as investors determine their siting based on operational efficiency and market considerations.
