Northern Elders Forum Slams Lagos Gold Refinery Plan, Alleges Marginalisation
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has vehemently opposed the establishment of a gold refinery in Lagos State, describing the move as a “deliberate act of economic dispossession” against Northern Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Forum criticized the siting of the facility in the South West, arguing that it violates the principles of federal character and economic justice, given that the country’s major gold deposits are located in Northern states.
The NEF contended that extracting raw minerals from the North only to transport them to Lagos for processing denies the host region critical economic benefits, including industrial jobs and infrastructure development.
“The decision to locate Nigeria’s proposed gold refinery in Lagos is a calculated attempt to further marginalize the North.
“It contradicts the principles of derivation and inclusive development to strip a region of its resources while locating the value-addition industries elsewhere. This deepens regional inequality and weakens national cohesion,” the Forum stated.
The Elders insisted that for the sake of equity, industries related to mineral resources should be situated close to the source of the raw materials to stimulate local economies.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has swiftly rejected the NEF’s claims, dismissing them as “false and misleading.”
In a rebuttal on Thursday, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, clarified that the refinery in question is a 100% private-sector initiative owned by Kian Smith, a mining company, and not a government project.
“The Federal Government neither owns nor established any gold refinery in Lagos.
“The refinery referenced by the NEF is a private venture, and the government cannot dictate to a private investor where to locate its business,” Tomori stated.
The Ministry described the Forum’s reaction as a “parade of ignorance,” noting that the Minister, Dr. Dele Alake, has consistently encouraged the establishment of mineral processing plants across the country to discourage the export of raw solid minerals.
The government further explained that several other gold refineries are currently being developed in various parts of Nigeria by different private investors, urging the Northern Elders to conduct due diligence before issuing inflammatory statements.
