Better days ahead for Nigerians — Alake

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has stated that in spite of the current economic reality, better days are ahead for Nigerians.

He said this after inspecting the $600 million iron ore mining and processing facility owned by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML) in Gujeni, Kaduna state.

Alake lauded the resilience, foresight, commitment and focus of the company, which he described as efforts of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration at restructuring the economy.

He said: “We have set our minds in this administration and invariably in Nigeria to achieve success, and that is why Mr President is restructuring the economy.

“And like I said, when this company (ANRML) started seven years ago, we saw one of the foundations through the video documentary, the amount of concrete that went to erect a foundation, just to carry a giant edifice. That’s what we are going through. When we get through the gestation period, the results will manifest, and it will herald prosperity 

“The restructuring of the economy of this country is really with its attendant pains, but now we are going through the pains; it is the pain that is the precursor to joy at the end of the road. Just as this company went through the pains to erect this solid structure that we have here today smiling, and we are rejoicing with it for being courageous enough to set its eyes on the ball and be focused enough to pursue it, and we have the result today.”

He further said, “So, I recommend self-mentality and self-orientation to all of us to be persistent, consistent, patient and focused. When all the restructuring initiates of this government scale through their gestation period, the results will begin to manifest, and the whole country will begin to enjoy. I can assure Nigerians that better days are coming.”

Alake reiterated the government’s resolve for value addition as the irreducible standard for mining operations in the country.