The Nasarawa State Government, says it has secured N2.6 billion from a lithium mining company operating in Endo community, Nasarawa Local Government Area, for the development of mining host communities.
Peter Ahemba, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to governor Abdulllahi Sule disclosed this during the bi-monthly press conference in Lafia, the state capital.
He explained that the money was part of an agreement reached with the mining company for the development of communities affected by its operations.
According to him, the N2.6 billion was separate from the more than $1.5 million previously released to the state as a signature bonus.
He, however, stated that the governor had convened an expanded State Executive Council meeting with traditional rulers and representatives of the host communities to determine how the funds would be spent.
He said that the governor directed the benefiting communities to identify priority projects that would have a direct impact on residents and submit them to the state government for implementation.
Ahemba, therefore, maintained that the earlier $1.5 million signature bonus had already been invested in development programmes intended to improve living conditions at the grassroots.
He also revealed that arrangements had been concluded for additional rural and urban road projects across the state, with some expected to begin within weeks.
Umar Muhammed
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