[size=14pt]FG approves plan for bitumen project[/size]
Written by Paschal Okeke, Abuja Wednesday, 22 February 2012

AS part of efforts to create an avenue for the diversification of the nation’s economy, the Federal Government has approved a development plan for the execution of the Bitumen Project.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Musa Mohammed Sada, made the disclosure when he received in audience the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Jean Gauthier, in his office.

The minister noted that “apart from oil and gas, the nation’s minerals and metal sector is being considered as a viable alternative source of revenue generation.

He said government was working towards ensuring that the sources of income for the country were expanded.

Sada explained that the development plan approved by President Goodluck Jonathan called for the actual exploitation of the bitumen resource in the country.

While expressing appreciation for the visit of the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner and the support of the Canadian government towards the development of the nation’s minerals and metal sector, the minister said his ministry was hopeful of further assistance on how to move the nation’s bitumen project forward.

He further stated that three Canadian mining companies had already indicated interest in developing the bitumen project in Nigeria, adding that the forthcoming International Mining Convention under the auspices of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) in Toronto, Canada would provide the opportunity to showcase the investment potentials in the Nigeria’s minerals and metal sector to attract foreign investors.

Earlier in his remarks, the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner said the purpose for the visit was to foster collaboration with the Nigerian government for the development of its minerals and metal sector.

He said “what the ministry needs is to bring in one credible investor who will make other investors look around and come to Nigeria.”

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/36490-fg-approves-plan-for-bitumen-project

Every region has something. It would be nice for the FG to kickstart development in every regions resources, then . . .efrybodi occupy ya resources.

This is an indeed a welcome development, strength in diversity.
I know this government will surely perform wella

Ondo state on top! Everybody occupy your resources!

Are we finally going to have good roads in naija?

Osiris.212:

Ondo state on top! Everybody occupy your resources!

Rhino, it is not just Ondo, but Ogun and Lagos as well. You can even see outcrops of the stuff in parts of Lagos (eg Oke Tapas).
There will be no need those ACN hypocrites to preach true federalism out of one corner of their mouths, while asking for more Abuja awuf from the other.

Bros, Nothing do you!

Beaf:

Rhino, it is not just Ondo, but Ogun and Lagos as well. You can even see outcrops of the stuff in parts of Lagos (eg Oke Tapas).
There will be no need those ACN hypocrites to preach true federalism out of one corner of their mouths, while asking for more Abuja awuf from the other.

Beaf:

Rhino, it is not just Ondo, but Ogun and Lagos as well. You can even see outcrops of the stuff in parts of Lagos (eg Oke Tapas).
There will be no need those ACN hypocrites to preach true federalism out of one corner of their mouths, while asking for more Abuja awuf from the other.

And Edo and Delta too. Bitumen occurrence is well spread.

Nchara:

And Edo and Delta too. Bitumen occurrence is well spread.

even better that edo and delta have it,

ℓ̊ really don't understand, must the govt be involved in mining before it takes off? Why can't private individuals just come in and invest.

I can see guys smiling.

I am very sure ACN will want to capture Ondo by a do or die means.

^
Nothing like ACN in Ondo state. With exception of Lagos and Edo, most ACN governors aren't far away from their PDP counterpart.

Until they find bitumen in your village, you wont know the destruction these international mining companies are known for. Go ask the aboriginies in Australia.

Multinational corporations continue to r.ape Africa - whilst we stand still and watch.

If indeed we have Bitumen in comercial quantities, why are we not looking to extract the resource ourselves in an ethical way and export at the best price to international markets.

I see this deal going the same way as our oil deal with the likes of Shell, Chevron etc.

As usual, Africa is only of use for its raw materials - never wil we be allowed to extract our own raw materials, convert them into a finished product and then export the finished product thereby bringing in foreign currency.

The masses should take to the streets and say no to these international thieves who continue to exploit Africans though our corrupt money loving politicians.

This is bad news,

Wow! This is a good news,let them start it sooner than later,at this rate,every nigerian state will have one or two natural resources to protect,so that resource control will no longer be a niger detla thing.

This FG will soon die of heart attack. Delving into everything everywhere. Relinquish some of your domineering powers and everybody will start taking care of himself. Wanting to be in Potiskum, Ede, Otukpo, Ebonyi villages, the creeks and everywhere possible. This is share madness!!!. If my governor knows that he will have substantial control over what comes from Bitumen, definitely he will take it's exploitation serious.

Nobody will make any modest attempt at creating wealth from mining if the FG controls the financial proceeds.

Oga beaf, where is the resource control now?
As long as ur bros in Aso rock does not sell us out to the foreign mining companies, all will be well.

Standing5:

Oga beaf, where is the resource control now?

First step no ni nau.
As long as everybody begins to feel a stake in wealth generation, then we are a step closer.

Standing5:

As long as ur bros in Aso rock does not sell us out to the foreign mining companies, all will be well.

Lol! That might be a good idea actually. It will ensure that all of us a in a mad dash for freedom and resource control; that way everyone will be on the same page when the vote for true federalism (structural and fiscal) comes up.

Odu-toda-iwa:

This FG will soon die of heart attack. Delving into everything everywhere. Relinquish some of your domineering powers and everybody will start taking care of himself. Wanting to be in Potiskum, Ede, Otukpo, Ebonyi villages, the creeks and everywhere possible. This is share madness!!!. If my governor knows that he will have substantial control over what comes from Bitumen, definitely he will take it's exploitation serious.

Nobody will make any modest attempt at creating wealth from mining if the FG controls the financial proceeds.

Your post is entirely self-contradictory.

On the one hand, you are unhappy that the FG is spread everywhere, helping to develop resources in states to graduate them from a parasitic existence to self-reliance; while on the other, you think your governor/state/LG should happily remain parasitic entities, waiting on the side-lines like unconcerned spectators to see if the FG's efforts are good enough for them. What happened to pride, dignity and self application?

Beaf:

First step no ni nau.
As long as everybody begins to feel a stake in wealth generation, then we are a step closer.

Lol! That might be a good idea actually. It will ensure that all of us a in a mad dash for freedom and resource control; that way everyone will be on the same page when the vote for true federalism (structural and fiscal) comes up.

$
Bitumen or no bitumen Aregbesola and the Acn will still collect their oily allocation.
You go get oilytension o if you don't stop coveting Nigeria's crude oil 
Lol!

Nigeria bitumen is not ripe for harvest and this has been scientifically concluded. It is only political bitumen that is ready for exploration at the expense of the masses.
There are volumes of research reports on Nigeria bitumen especially along Igbokoda in Ondo state carried out by experts from OAU, Ile-Ife in late 70's and early 80's. The conclusion is beyond reproach that it will take decades before this resource matures unless a new technology is developed. Interestingly, since the inception of this new political dispensation there has not been a single governor in Ondo state that have not conveyed an international conference on this project and none has been able to achieve the stated objective because the truth is sancrosant. The newest information that was achieved by Adefarati (1999-2003) is that there is a new technology known as e-technology that can upgrade Nigeria bitumen to world standard but it is not cost effective. So presently as it is Nigeria bitumen is a mirage in terms of technologically and economically feasibility.
I think GEJ is seriously looking for a way to generate money and he wants to have an impact on shoring Nigeria revenue based like Abacha with his VAT. I will rather suggest that he should look seriously on the proposition of Olisa Agbakoba in respect of the MARITIME SECTOR of the economy. What actually endears me to this, is the passion and enthuasim with which he was marshalling is point in support of this during antisubsidy removal. Please beaf you will be doing a great help to GEJ if you can convince him to look into this aspect.

Those of you jubiliting have short memories. Can't you see what's going on in the Niger delta? By the time the useless FG got done ,the whole area will be completely devastated,to become unhabitable and agricutlture doomed,while paying senators $135,000/month and GEJ is spending 3 million naira/day just on food.

Osiris.212:

^
Nothing like ACN in Ondo state. With exception of Lagos and Edo, most ACN governors aren't far away from their PDP counterpart.

true

blink182:

ℓ̊ really don't understand, must the govt be involved in mining before it takes off? Why can't private individuals just come in and invest.

@Blink182
Mining is a very risky and capital intensive venture with long gestation periods that also requires deep technical expertise. These investment requirements are something that Nigerian private investors do not have, are not interested in acquiring or developing themselves indigenously. They prefer buying and selling with quick turnover. Nigerian banks are not even liquid enough and do not understand the mining business so they can't fund it. Let's not even talk about ongoing artisanal mining with the well-known deadly results!

That is the major reason why the biggest industries in Nigeria (name it!) are dominated by multinational firms who source capital and expertise offshore. The Nigeria government lacks the capacity to do mining too. They will destroy any state run mining firm with incompetence and corruption. The question we should be asking is can the average Nigerian company get the bitumen out of the ground, add value to it and create wealth for themselves and the government via taxes (like Shell, Chevron etc)?

Osiris.212:

Ondo state on top! Everybody occupy your resources!

Yes o! Though on the other hand i'm not too sure i should jubilate to much cos the environmental disaster that will come with it is scary.
@OP. I'll say it's about time. Too much politics has has been played over this issue. When PDP wanted to throw out AD out of power in Ondo state in 2003, Obj moved some equipments to that site and told the people of the state that all they needed to do was vote PDP and bitumen mining will begin in earnest immediately. Well 9yrs later mining has commenced but only in the people's dreams. Sometimes i even imagined the bitumen to be a figment of some geologists imagination.

Just need to be careful. Judging from Alberta's experience, tar sands can potentially be very damaging on the environment.