02 August 2012, Sweetcrude, UMUAHIA – ABIA State government said, Thursday that the state holds over 12 solid minerals, including coal and gold, and that these, if fully harnessed, could curb the menace of unemployment in the state.
The State Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals, Chief Don Ubani, disclosed this during a visit to Setraco Construction Company mining site at Ugwueke.
A statement issued by Mrs Maureen Dimkpa, the Public Relations Officer in the ministry, quoted Ubani as saying that Abia has more than 12 solid minerals including coal, gold and sharp sand and that the government was ready “to partner with genuine investors to explore and exploit the God-given resources to tackle the problem of unemployment among the youth”.
He urged companies doing business in the area to embark on education endowment to develop the talents of youths.
Ubani also charged them to imbibe standard environmental and safety rules and as well live up to the agreement entered with host communities and government.
Responding, Mr Romanus Anaweokhai, commended the commissioner for the visit and enumerated various projects carried out in their host communities by the company.
Anaweokhai said that more than 80 per cent of the Setraco employees were indigenes of their host communities.
He assured the people that the company would abide by the rules and called on government to continue to sustain its effort at promoting security, which, he added, was making business to thrive in the area.
Mr Clement Ugorji, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, who also spoke said everything was being done to ensure companies operating in Abia enjoyed conducive operational environment.
