FG Establishes National Gold Reserve Scheme, Issues First Gold Refining Licence
The federal government had established a Federal Gold Reserve Scheme, in pursuance of its economic diversification programme.
Disclosing this yesterday at the on-going National Economic Summit, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udoma, said the move was part of the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) with a view to strengthening the nation’s macro-economy.
He stated: “As an outcome of the ERGP focus labs, we have also been able to accelerate the development of a National Gold Development Policy and the establishment of a Federal Gold Reserve Scheme in Nigeria. Today, I am happy to report that the first gold refining license has been issued to a company called Kian Smith Limited, which was one of the companies that participated in the Labs.”
“Indeed, the Federal Government is finalizing modalities to purchase gold from local refineries via a Federal Gold Reserve Scheme subject to international standards such as the London Bullion Market Association. This accelerated development of the National Gold Development Policy by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, and the progress recorded in implementing the Federal Gold Reserve Scheme by the Central Bank of Nigeria, are direct solutions to issues presented by investors at the ERGP Focus Labs.”
Udoma added that the during the Labs, investors interested in agriculture were assisted to obtain farming land from some State Governments, to boost the agricultural sector.
“Also arising from the Lab process, a local automobile assembly firm in Imo State, Autodex Limited, is being supported to double its capacity for the production of farm tractors. This is just to mention a few of the projects arising out of the Focus Labs.”
“The ERGP Delivery Unit is working hard to advance progress on many other potential projects identified in the Labs. To keep the public informed of progress arising from the Focus Labs the ERGP Delivery Unit has started producing a monthly newsletter. The next one is scheduled for release within the next two weeks,” he said.
The minister said that the theme of this year’s Summit, “Poverty to Prosperity: Making Governance & Institutions Work,” provided another opportunity for to examine the progress made so far in achieving the programmes, policies and objectives of the ERGP
According to him, “The ERGP specifically maps out strategies to improve governance by institutionalizing transparency, accountability, fighting corruption, improving security, reforming the public service, and strengthening coordination with sub-national governments.”
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