From: Linus Oota, Lafia
About four Chinese companies have expressed interest to partner with the Nasarawa State Government to exploit coal mining potentials and hydro power electricity generation in the state.
The companies, Tongyi mining Ltd, Jing Mei Group, Hypec and Beijing coal chemical cooperative Ltd led by the chairman of Tongyi mining Ltd Mr Chen Zheng, made their intentions known, on Thursday, in Lafia, at a meeting with Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
Mr. Zheng said that they were in the state to invest in some projects across the state such as coal mining, hydro electric power generation and construction of roads as part of their contribution to the development of the state.
He said the companies are already making their mark in about 20 countries of the world and 10 are in African countries, adding that the partnership will also open opportunities for the agricultural sector and other infrastructural development in the state.
Governor Al-makura told the Chinese companies that Nasarawa State had the best coal mining in the country and would want them to key into the project.
He explain that the state government would give them the opportunity to construct an Expressway from Lafia to Abuja with a toll gate where revenue would be generated to recover their money.
The governor continued, “In the area of infrastructures, I would want you to use your own money with the support of the state to construct an express road from Lafia to Abuja with a toll gate where revenue will be generated to recover your money
“I’m also interested in agriculture, presently we are having a new approach in fertilizer production, we need a good plant to exploit the Nigerian/Morocco MoU on importation of raw materials where the plants will blend our fertilizer for use” the governor said
On hydro power electricity, the governor said his administration will welcome any sound initiative that would seek to exploit the coal mining where power will be generated to States like Benue, Enugu among others and assured them of his cooperation and support.
He told them to quickly settle down and study the state and come up with a clear road map on specific areas they want to invest in.