In a strategic move to diversify the State’s economy and tap into the global commodities market, the Cross River State Ministry of Commerce has partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to adopt solid minerals as a priority sector for State development.
The agreement was reached during a high-level stakeholders' meeting held at the Ministry of Commerce Headquarters in Calabar.
The forum brought together government officials, trade experts, and technical consultants to deliberate on unlocking the state’s vast, underutilized mineral wealth.
Speaking at the meeting, the Honorable Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Abigail Duke Orok, emphasized that Cross River State is sitting on a goldmine of natural resources that must be aggressively projected to international markets.
"Cross River State is blessed with an abundance of diverse mineral resources, including high-grade iron ore, stones, and substantial deposits of Barite," Dr. Orok stated.
"Particularly in Akamkpa LGA, Obubra LGA—which boasts rich reserves of lead and zinc—and Yala Local Government Area, we have critical minerals that need to be urgently utilized, processed, and unveiled to the international market."
Dr. Orok reiterated the administration's commitment to creating an enabling environment for commerce and trade, noting that prioritizing solid minerals will stimulate local economies and generate sustainable employment.
The State Consultant on Solid Minerals and Steel, Prof. Otu Archibong, corroborated the Commissioner’s stance, listing Barite, iron ore, kaolin, and manganese among the State's commercial-quantity assets.
He stressed, however, that capital injection is vital to bringing these resources to fruition.
Prof. Archibong also candidly addressed the constitutional bottlenecks hindering rapid state-led development in the sector, pointing to the legal constraints imposed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which places mineral resources on the Exclusive Legislative List under federal control.
"These existing federal laws severely complicate the state's independent ability to manage, regulate, and fully capitalize on its own resources," Prof. Archibong lamented.
"Despite this, we must find innovative frameworks to attract the right investors."
Responding to the state’s agenda, the Acting State Coordinator of the NEPC, Mr. Owoicho Owobia, expressed strong optimism about the partnership.
He underscored the necessity of deep institutional collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce and the NEPC to navigate trade channels and successfully position Cross River’s minerals for export.
Mr. Owobia expressed his gratitude to Dr. Orok for creating the platform for dialogue and formally requested sustained support from the Cross River State Government to achieve mutual trade objectives.
The meeting ended with a commitment from all parties to design a joint roadmap aimed at resolving operational challenges, engaging legitimate investors, and establishing Cross River State as a premier solid minerals export hub in Nigeria.
By Obaseoyi Bassey
