The Federal Government has revealed that plans are underway to ensure the Kano Gold Souk is up and running before the end of 2022.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, disclosed this during the inspection of the gold souk construction yesterday.
Adegbite explained that the establishment of a gold souk in Kano is part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s efforts to establish strategic artisanal and small-scale mining clusters in each of the six geopolitical zones, to harness the potential of the artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) in the country.
According to him, when completed and fully developed, the souk, located in Kumbotso local government area of Kano State, would rival those in other parts of the world.
The minister, who was accompanied on the inspection by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade and the director, artisanal and small-scale miner (ASM), Mr. Patrick Ojeka, was impressed by the level of work done, even though the ground-breaking took place four months ago.
He said the essence of the gold souk is about value addition.
“We want our gold in Nigeria to be enhanced here; we add value, create jobs for our people and generate revenue for the government.
“We must add value to our gold, instead of taking it out in the raw form. We will make pieces of jewellery such as bangles, wristwatches, necklaces and so on and then people will know that there is a souk in Nigeria where they can visit and buy just like in other parts of the world,” he further revealed.
Adegbite charged the contractor to work faster and smarter while adhering strictly to the approved project master plan.
In his remarks, Akinlade said the ministry is doing all within its mandate to support the ASM. She said the government approved the establishment of clusters in the six geopolitical zones to develop the minerals which give each zone a comparative advantage.
A statement signed by Idowu Jokpeyibo for the ministry’s director of press and public relations, said these zones and the minerals being developed are kaolin in the northeast zone (Bauchi), gold processing plant in the north-central zone (Kogi), lead/zinc in the southeast (Ebonyi), barite in the south-south (Cross River), the establishment of a gemstones’ market in the southwest (Oyo) and a gold souk in the northwest (Kano).
