Lithium tops talks between Dowden, Alake in London

The British and the Nigeria government are working out a comprehensive investment package through lithium value chain production that will be beneficial to both countries.

This was made known when the British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden hosted Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr.Dele Alake in London.

 Mr. Dowden who also chairs the British National Economic Security Council said the Council was interested in partnering with Nigeria on energy minerals such as lithium hence the need for both countries to commence discussion on details of the partnership.

The Deputy Prime Minister Dowden commended the Nigeria government for the policy on value addition adding that such move would create more economic opportunities for partnership between both countries.

Promoters of the project and partner of Carousel Bio-Energy, ,Jafar Hilali, briefed the meeting on his firm’s plans to intervene at every stage of the lithium value chain production in the country promised to assemble a consortium of British companies in power supply, infrastructure and lithium battery production with a projection to produce lithium battery to  powered energy buses for Nigeria’s domestic market.

Responding the Minister of solid minerals Development Dr Dele Alake said Nigeria has large deposits of minerals and ready to partner with investors from the United Kingdom adding that President Tinubu as the chief marketer of Nigeria’s investment drive would consider the invitation positively.

He announced that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has introduced value addition as a priority policy in the sector.

  “Our new policy places emphasis on local value addition rather than export of raw minerals so that the value of our mineral products can increase.”

The Minister said Nigeria and Britain have a long history and good relationship, “If Nigeria is not doing well, Britain should be concerned. And if Nigeria is doing well, Britain can benefit from the opportunities. he said.”

He said the Nigerian team would sit down with their British counterparts to take the discussion to the next level.

SOURCE: FRCN