Nasarawa State Government has been advised to liaise with the federal ministry of steel and mining to mine the coal in Obi Local Government Area.

The Osuko of Obi, Alhaji Aliyu Dangiwa Ogiri-Orume, gave the advice while speaking with Nigerian Newsday in his palace at Obi recently.

Alhaji Orume said with the help of the state government, the federal ministry of steel and mining could be invited to the site in Obi for proper mining.

The traditional ruler said the coal in Obi was first discovered and explored by the steel council in the early 70’s and that no mining took place since then.

He said the presence of a mining company would create jobs for the youth and the people of the area.

He said that the mining, if properly done, would enhance both the economic and the social well being of the people.

The Osuko said when the mining company was mobilized to the site; it would then consider tarring the Mararaban Akunza – Obi – Awe road.

He said it was the steel council that tarred the road in the early 70’s and since then nobody had affected any repairs on the road.

He explained that the coal discovered in Obi still remains the best in Nigeria, stressing that government should set in motion the machinery for the proper mining of the coal.

He said that the mining headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State could be contacted to go and exploit and explore the possibility of mining the coal in Obi.

On the building of a befitting palace in Obi, he said that N80 million was required to complete the project and commended the state government for providing materials and moral support for the building of the Osuko’s palace, adding that sons and daughters of the land have been very supportive towards the palace project.

He also commended the efforts of Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe, Honourable Sidi Bako and a host of other philanthropists that supported the project and revealed that the work has gone far.

He further advised farmers in his domain not to farm close to the road, saying that such would constitute a hazard to road users.

He also appealed to the Sangarin Deddere to advise the people of his domain to keep away from farming close to the road, adding that those who refused to heed the advice should be punished according to the laws of the land.

With Adako Aselema at Nasarawastate.org