Firm begins operations in Itakpe iron ore company

• As Kogi gov appeals to host communities

As private investors begin the running of the National Iron Oil Mining Company (NIOMCO), in Itakpe, Kogi State, the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has appealed to the communities hosting the project to support and cooperate with the investors to enable them bring life back into the company.

Apart from this, the governor said the state would partner with the Bank of Infrastructure for the development and rehabilitation of the infrastructure in the state.

The governor, who said this on Friday, after a meeting with the management of the Global Holding Infrastructure Company Limited, said the organisation was expected to take charge of the Itakpe mine field and Ajabanoku mine field serving the mining company.

According to him, all arrangements had been concluded to ensure that the company commence operations and embark on due diligence on August 2 (today).

He said, when fully on track, the company  will also partner with the state government to develop the coal deposit in the state to generate electricity.

He noted that the state government was prepared to partner with the investors in their quest to bring back the company by injecting funds into it and further aid the economic development of the state.

He explained that state government had already put in place  necessary machinery to ensure adequate security  of lives and equipment to be deployed for the successful reinvigoration of the moribund company.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Finance, Idris Ashiru, said the state government was poised to ensure a peaceful and sustainable community relationship to aid the operations of the company.