Nasarawa (Nasarawa state) May 10, 2024. (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Avatar Lithium Mining processing factory in Nasarawa state that will produce the mineral resource used for the production of battery components.
Tinubu inaugurates the factory in Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state on Friday.
Tinubu represented by Senator Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria ‘s Senate President expressed great pleasure over the construction and inauguration of the factory.
He assured Nasarawa residents and Nigerians that his administration shall continue to renew hope not just in individuals but in the entire nation and the global community about Nigeria.
“We shall make it a land of hope and happiness for all. On this mission we shall never fail. On this vision we shall not falter,” he said.
The President added that the day was not just to thank the Nasarawa people for giving his and Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administrations the mandate to serve but to say thank you with a massive project in the form of the state of the art lithium processing factory in the state which according to him is one of the best in Africa.
“Lithium is a critical component in the production of batteries for electric commodities. For the first in history we are becoming partners and partakers in the production of this solid mineral.
“It is a historic lift because we now have opportunities on how it is done and hone the skills,” he said.
He urge youths across the country to take advantage of the opportunity to create a new career in the processing of minerals and the application of new technologies.
Tinubu who urged members of the host community to embrace and support the factory also urged the management of Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited to make community relations and corporate social responsibility fundamental pillars of their policies.
“As you make profits let the world see the reflection in the environment in which you are operating,” he said.
Also speaking, Governor Abdullahi Sule thanked the management of the Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited for choosing to site the lithium processing factory in the state.
“And so I am still call on Nigerians especially those from Nasarawa state who can afford to be able to invest in the mining industry to please start,” he said.
Mr Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development in his speech reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s desire for the mining sector to be transformed overnight if possible by cleaning it out of corruption and turning the country into one of the top destinations around the world.
“Let me assure Mr President that on this mission he has places before us at the ministry of solid minerals development we shall never fail. We shall neither fall. We shall not falter,” he said.
In his introductory remarks, Mr Zhu Xinjiang, Executive Director, Avatar New Energy Materials Co Ltd the Lithium said the establishment of Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited in Nasarawa state holds immense promise of development of lithium resources in North Central Nigeria characterized by enhanced efficiency and process optimization.
“Following the successful commencement of operations in he initial stage, we are steadfastly moving forward with the second phase with the aim of achieving an annual production capacity of 300, 000 tons of lithium concentrate within the next two years.
“This expansion is poised to generate over 4000 local employment opportunities at our primary lithium processing facility, positioning Nigeria’s lithium industry at the forefront of global competition,” he said.
He said the company remains resolute in leveraging this initiative as a catalyst for fostering technological localization and nurturing job creation within the local community. “We are also committed to investing in the development of talents through capacity development and infrastructure such as training over 200 local personnel in different skills and construction of schools, roads, clinics, boreholes with ultra modern facilities thereby contributing substantively to the overall socio-economic growth of the region,” he added.