The Edo State Government has taken steps to improve electricity supply by granting licences to Chinese firms to commence exploration aimed at generating power from coal deposits in the state.
The companies are also expected to venture into cement manufacturing and the production of ceramic tiles using locally sourced clay.
The Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai, disclosed this in an interview, noting that Governor Monday Okpebholo has directed the Ministry of Mining to intensify mineral exploration across the state.
He expressed optimism that, in the long term, revenue from the mining sector could significantly support the state’s economy.
Ijegbai added that ongoing feasibility studies would determine the potential megawatt capacity of electricity to be generated from coal resources.
He also stated that the state government has strengthened measures against illegal mining, revealing that five illegal mining groups have already been arraigned.
He said: “Okpebholo has released a lot of money for us to do explorations and discover the minerals we have. We have two Chinese companies that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to embark on cement production. The governor just signed this about a month ago. They will start operation very soon.
“We cannot quantify the potential of Edo solid minerals. Imagine the contract agreement we signed with the Chinese firms to begin cement production. It will generate a lot of money. They will involve in quarry, they will use our coal to generate electricity and use our clay to produce tiles. It is a four-in-one project. It’s going to generate lots of income. By the time it kicks off, it will create lots of jobs.
“People mining in Edo these days are required to get necessary documentation. Before now, people just obtained licence from the Federal Government without the consent of the communities. They go into the bush and start mining and they will tell you they have licence. But these days, we ensure miners obtain the consent of the community, who is the property owner.
“We want to start ‘Operation Community Development Agreement (CDA)’. We have received petitions with regards to miners that refuse to honour ‘Operation CDA’. We will stop the miners. We cannot fold our arms and watch our people being short-changed.”
