By Adaobi Nsofor
As part of efforts to foster market-oriented, private sector- driven economy through market oriented export products development, officials from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has paid a working visit to Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited.
The leader of the delegation, Dr Peter Ekpedeme Udom who is also the State Coordinator, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, noted that they came to inquire about solid mineral resources available in the State and ways they can be utilised for possible exportation.
Dr Udom said that NEPC, which is a Federal Government Agency, is solely responsible for promoting the development of non oil exports like the agro sector, manufacturing sector, solid mineral sector and its services, in ensuring compliance with export regulations.
He emphasized that the Agency provides an Exporter Registration Certificate, a mandatory document for businesses formally exporting products from Nigeria and Export Expansion Grants, which is given after the registered company has fulfilled certain conditions, and as a way of boosting non oil exports to improve the global competitiveness of Nigerian products.
According to him, NEPC among other things, facilitate trainings of Companies intermittently in line with best practices inorder to meet the expectations of foreign buyers.
Responding, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited, Prof Charles O. Ofoegbu while receiving the delegation in his office, noted that Anambra State is rich with so many mineral resources yet untapped, which is the reason his company was positioned to take advantage of these mineral resources for the development of the State.
Prof. Ofoegbu mentioned that already, the state government through his Agency has commenced commercialisation activities on Clay Minerals(Kaolin), and have been certified by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria. With the Processing Plant located at Ukpor, he said that the State is blessed with both industrial and pharmaceutical grade Kaolin.
He further said that huge deposits of Bentonite were also found in the State, and plans are underway to kick-start a major Bentonite processing project at Achalla-Agu, Nteje.
While assuring that his Agency will effect the necessary registrations with NEPC, Prof Ofoegbu reiterated that the state government will leave no stone unturned in sanitising the mining sector of the State.
Adaobi is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
