A University Don and Geologist, Professor Daniel Ozoko has called on Enugu state Government and investors to unite, modernize and sustainably harness Coal for power generation, industrialization and economic benefit, noting that investment in Coal Value-Chain can create 500,0000 jobs in the state.
He disclosed that in a keynote address he delivered on Wednesday, at the ” Investors’ Forum on Coal Value -Chain Development in Enugu State, organized by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Enugu State Coordinating Office, in collaboration with Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and to Agriculture (ECCIMA)
Pix 1: Prof Ozoko
Pix 2: Mrs Edith Obi Rep RMRDC
Pix3: Uche Mbah DG ECCIMA
Prof Ozoko said Enugu state is endowed with large coal deposit and if it should prioritize the full development of its coal resources or reserve, it will lead to explosion of new industries built . coal exploration and exploitation , job creation, entrepreneurship .
According to him, utilization and end- use coal serves multiple purposes including power generation used in thermal power plant to generate electricity.
Listing some jobs in Coal value -chain, the Guest Speaker said over 500,000 jobs can be created and drive economic growth in Enugu state.
He recommended that the federal government should revive the Nigerian Coal Corporation and Enugu State government should set up a very strong government agency to mid-wife the actionable recommendations he made, which included, developing clear coal technologies to ensure environment sustainability, establishing a coal-based emergency policy for a state power supply , promote research and innovation among others.
In his address, the Director- General of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and to Agriculture (ECCIMA) -DG, ECCIMA, UcheChukwu Mbah, urged the government and business community to go back to investment in Coal, noting that , “Coal value chain is one of the resources in Enugu state we should go back to. We have not enjoyed it”. He urged participants to take the knowledge acquired to the next level. The Director- General said Enugu state Governor, Dr Peter Mbah came from the private sector and will promote the programme
Mbah announced that the 36Th Enugu international trade fair will start on April 5Th, 2025 at the trade fair Complex, Golf Estate, G.R.A, Enugu.
Earlier in a welcome address the Director – General,/Chief Executive Officer, of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Mounso, said the gathering was a testament to their collective commitment to revitalizing the coal sector and unlocking its immense economic potentials.
” As you all know, Enugu State – fondly referred to as the “Coal City State”, has a rich history of coal mining, which played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s industrialization”,, he said.
Prof Ike- Mounso who was represented by a senior management staff, Dr. Edith Obi , noted that for government , organization or individuals to fully harness the benefits of the valuable resource in today’s economic landscape, they must explore new investment models, modern processing technologies, and value addition opportunities.
“This forum serves as a Strategic platform for key stakeholders, including government agencies, investors, financial institutions, industry players, researchers, and students to engage in meaningful discussions on investment opportunities and to know the financial models for development of coal and other solid minerals, including technological innovations and policy framework to enhance private sector participation.
He recalled that recently, on the 5th of March, 2025, the Nigeria Senate concluded a public hearing on the Raw Materials Research and Development Council’s amendment Bill on 30% value addition to raw materials before export.
“”The bill before us seeks to enshrine a fundamental economic truth that no nation can attain true greatness by exporting its wealth in its crudest form.
” A minimum of 30% value addition to our raw materials before export is not just a policy; it is a clarion call for industrial transformation, a statement of intent that Nigeria will no longer be a nation that feeds global industries while our owners remains malnourished.”, he said.
According to him, the value of coal export in 2023 and 2024 stood at N4,735,337,185 and N5,435,337,044 respectively. “This justifies the fact that with the minimum of 30% value addition, the value of coal exports will increase significantly thereby creating spin-offs of MSMEs in the country. The overall effect of this will certainly be more wealth and job creation for Enugu state in particular and the country in general”, he said..
He added that for the coal sector to thrive and contribute significantly to the state and country’s economic development, job creation, industrialization, and energy security, we must work and partner toagether putting in place implementable strategies that will enhance its value chain development.
“All interest groups have their roles to play, the investors provide capital and technical expertise, financial institutions bring their tailor-made funding solutions, government agencies will create enabling environment through policies and infrastructure while research institutions will drive innovation for improved efficiency and sustainability” he said .
He urged the participants to explore practical solutions that will transform Enugu’s coal sector into a viable and sustainable industry, saying, ” We must move beyond discussions and take bold steps toward implementation”.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama