The Federal Government has described the operations of the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML) as “a veritable example for other companies operating in the solid minerals sector,” noting that the commitment of the company to local value addition is in line with the policy objectives of the Federal Government in the solid minerals sector.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Henry Dele Alake who gave the commendation on Thursday when he commissioned the ISO-accredited mineral laboratory put in pace by the ANRML, in Sabon Wushe, Niger State, expressed the desire of the president to personally commission the world class facility, assuring that the administration will not relent in its support for the company.
“Ideally, it is the president that should commission landmark epochal events like this, but because of his very heavy state duties and the pressures associated with that office, he could not be here to commission the ANRML Laboratory project,” he explained.
Alake, who described ANRML as a “very industrious organization,” thanked the company for establishing the world class mineral testing laboratory, the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“Thank you for aligning your vision into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister said.
Alake said ANRML stands out: “Since I assumed office as Minister of Solid Minerals Development, I have come to realize that out of the various companies and ventures that we have in the solid mineral sector, African Natural Resources and Mines Limited stands out, and that really gladdens my heart.”
According to the minister, “the commissioning of the ANRML ISO-accredited laboratory, which is also the first of its kind in Nigeria if not in West Africa or Africa is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to the local value addition for minerals in Nigeria.”
“I believe it is a testimony to your alignment with the seven point agenda of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development which is local value addition. So, you are not only in alignment with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, you are also keying into our ministry’s seven point agenda.”
Alake pointed out that local value addition is a critical component of the seven point agenda of the ministry of solid minerals development.
He recalled that “some months ago, the ministry announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria will no longer allow the exportation of our raw minerals out of the country without processing and refining them locally.”
“ANRML immediately keyed into it. The first time I visited the company was to inspect the ANRML processing plant that you were building. I suppose you would have completed that one now and it will go on stream soon. I am aware that the commissioning is also going to be soon. We are working to get President Tinubu to come and commission it himself. This is because that is also a very heavy venture worth some $600m Dollars which is no mean feat.”
Discussing the economic and social significance of the ANRML Laboratory to Nigeria, the minister stated: “This laboratory that we are commissioning here today has multiplicity of objectives. It will ensure that all mineral samples from Nigeria that are being sent abroad for laboratory analysis or testing will no longer need to be sent abroad. The minerals can be brought here to be tested and analyzed very objectively and impartially and efficiently.”
The minister further stated: “This laboratory meets international best standards because it has been certified by international certification agencies like the one in Canada,” he said, adding that it can compete very favorably with any such laboratory anywhere in the world.”
While saying that the Federal Government of Nigeria is delighted in the great feat, the minister noted that situating the investment in Nigeria makes the country “to be a pride of place for analysis of samples and testing in the solid mineral sector.”
Discussing how the ANRML Laboratory will develop the Nigerian economy
by attracting patronage to Nigeria from African countries, the minister stated: “I foresee in the nearest future, other African counties sending their samples to this ANRML Laboratory in Nigeria for testing,” adding that it will not only save Nigeria the much needed foreign exchange and capital flight expended on sending samples abroad for testing, but will also ensure that Nigeria becomes the pivot around which all other nations revolve, especially in the solid minerals sector.
“So, I really am very happy at what ANRML have been able to achieve within a short time. I wish all others will copy this,” Alake stated.
“On this note, I pledge the continued support of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the support of the Federal Government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to your company.”
“Since you have started on a straight and narrow path, I wish you would continue in that vane so that with ANRML, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the government of Nigeria will become partners in progress and we will all, at the end of the day, achieve our overall objectives.”
“For the betterment of our people in Nigeria, I commend your effort, I commend your vision and commend your hard work and I commend your spirit of can-do that you have very eloquently demonstrated.”
“Having aligned with our vision and having keyed into our 7 point agenda, I believe that ANRML has made itself a veritable example to all other companies in the solid minerals sector of Nigeria.”
The minister called on other companies operating in the sector to emulate ANRML, saying: “I want to commend your assiduity, focus and sense of responsibility and responsiveness to our agenda, to all other companies operating in the sector. We use you as a shining example to other companies in the sector, and we are saying that this is the way we want to go in order to create local value, to generate employment for the teeming, large, restive and vibrant youth population in Nigeria.”
He said with innovative ventures like the ANRML Laboratory and ANRML iron ore processing plant, the objectives of government will be rapidly achieved. “So if every company operating in the solid mineral sector of
Nigeria can emulate what ANRML is doing, in a few years time, Nigeria will become the cynosure of eyes in the solid minerals output in the world, not just in the continent.”
He noted that because of the efficacy of the Federal Government’s agenda, other African countries are beginning to copy Nigeria and are keying into the agenda. “Three presidents of some African countries have specifically mentioned our objectives in the solid minerals sector, and have analyzed our agenda, and they are also urging operators in their countries to emulate what we are doing in Nigeria.”
In his vote of thanks, former Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mr. John Akanya who is also Director at ANRML thanked the minister for the commendation.
Akanya recalled that while he was Director General of SON, “quality was a top priority,” stating that a quality assurance policy was created, a policy he said is till in use till date.
He encouraged the Federal Government not to ignore the policy, but sustain it in every sector of government.
“The government should provide an enabling environment for industry to thrive and it saddens me when companies move out of Nigeria,” Akanya stated, adding that ANRML should be encouraged with incentives to stay back and invest more in Nigeria else it will lead to unemployment and banditry.
He said standardization should be encouraged both in manpower and equipment.
The Group Managing Director, African Industries Group, Mr. Alok Gupta thanked the minister for his commendation and assured that ANRML and all companies in the Group will exceed expectations of government.
“We assure you that we will continue to make it our habit and stand with you in revolutionizing the mining landscape of Nigeria,” he added.
