By AbdulRaheem Aodu
Kaduna
Kaduna state government is set to partner with the Australian government in the area of exploitation of mineral resources in the state and in the education sector, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has said.
He stated this when the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonathan Richardson, paid him a courtesy visit.
He said his administration had concluded plans to diversify its revenue base through the exploration of the mining sector, while seeking the Australian government’s support in providing Kaduna state students with scholarships to study in Australia.
He said: “We have gone far in our efforts at analysing the minerals to know those that are in commercial quantities before we can partner with others in mining. Kaduna state is endowed with solid mineral resources, our challenge is how to tap and take advantage of the sector.”
Yero urged Australia, a global leader in mining, to assist the state in encouraging investors to take advantage of the numerous solid minerals available in the state. “We will soon visit your office so that we can work out a way of getting partners to develop our mining sector, since we are going to have a limited liability company.”
Yero requested for partnership with Australia in the provision of scholarships for graduate and post-graduate programmes in Australian universities.
“Right now the Kaduna state government is about to sponsor our people to get additional knowledge and qualifications abroad. We already have a committee and it will cooperate with your office, so that we can see how to move forward.”
He urged investors from all over the country to feel safe in siting their businesses in Kaduna state, adding that his administration was working hard to ensure peace and security and to protect investments in the state.
He assured intending investors that power supply would soon improve in the state with the completion of the 215 megawatts power station billed mainly for industries.
Richardson said his country was ready to partner with Nigeria and Kaduna state in particular in the areas of developing the mining sector, as well as providing scholarships for students on both long-term and short-term studies.