By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has advocated a strategic collaboration between Nigeria and Uzbekistan to bolster Nigeria’s solid minerals and mining industry.
This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Levinus Nwabughiogu.
Kalu stated this during a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Mining and Geology, Yusupov Sadullayevich, at Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology on Monday in Tashkent.
He informed that the meeting was an integral part of the deputy speaker’s itinerary while attending the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Uzbekistan.
The deputy speaker’s delegation include Senator Ireti Kingibe, Olumide Osoba, Mark Esset and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana.
The Uzbekistan minister, accompanied by the First Deputy Minister, Omonullo Nasritdinkhodjaev, during the meeting provided the Nigerian delegation with a comprehensive overview of the extensive reforms that have transformed the mining and minerals sector in Uzbekistan.
Sadullayevich highlighted the pivotal role of the minerals sector in his country’s economy, noting that it is the largest contributor to job creation.
The minister informed that Uzbekistan had implemented a forward-thinking policy focused on developing the value chain around its minerals.
He said the approach also ensures that the country does not export raw minerals, but develop the entire value chain, exporting high-value finished products.
He added that the strategic approach has equally yielded significant benefits, including the growth of its economy, driven by the establishment of numerous local industries that process mineral by-products.
The minister specifically attributed the growth of the Uzbekistan economy to the policy, citing the establishment of numerous industries which locally processes the by-products of minerals and natural resources that abound in the country.
He expressed the country’s willingness to share its expertise and knowledge on minerals sector development with Nigeria through various means, including exchange programmes for students in tertiary institutions to learn mining and geological sciences.
Both parties agreed that their respective countries will explore trade relationships and bilateral exchange visits to foster cooperation and knowledge sharing, promising to engage in further discussions with relevant organs in their countries to pave the way for a deeper and more meaningful relationship between Nigeria and Uzbekistan in the minerals sector.
