Commercialisation of Bitumen Production Begins in Nigeria

President Olusegun Obasanjo has stressed once again, that the development of the nation's Solid Minerals and the boosting of agricultural production, have the potential to diversify the economic base of Nigeria. He said for this reason, his government is fully committed to promoting the exploitation and exploration of the Solid Minerals deposits in Nigeria. According to him this also tallies with a principal objective of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) which is to forge sustainable economic development and poverty eradication throughout the African continent.

These views were contained in the President's address at the recent Flag-off ceremony for the commercialization of Bitumen in Nigeria. Though Bitumen was discovered in Nigeria over a century ago, the mineral has laid waste due to neglect, distractions and undue diversions. President Obasanjo pointed out that with the commercialization, the nation's economy will reap many benefits such as creating thousands of jobs, boosting foreign exchange earnings, as well as promoting infrastructural rehabilitation development and expansion. He called on investors in Solid Minerals development to be mindful of the need to provide adequate protection for the environment in which they will operate, and in particular, to be sensitive to the sensibilities of the communities within which they will carry out their business activities.

Bolaji Adebiyi
Deputy Information Officer
Embassy of Nigeria
Washington, DC
March 25, 2003.