RESTRICTED EMPLOYING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN RESCUCITATING THE NIGERIAN METAL INDUSTRIES

Transcription

1 EMPLOYING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN RESCUCITATING THE NIGERIAN METAL INDUSTRIES INTRODUCTION 1. Research and development (R&D), also known as research and technological development (RTD) in Europe, is a general term for activities in connection with corporate or governmental innovation. Research and development dates back to the very first man when he was faced with the opportunity to interact with his environment. The first interaction initiated a chain of several other inter and intra interactions culminating in the acquisition of skills, capabilities and attitudes. No doubt, the ability of man to research is both innate and legendary as outcomes most times astound even the most astute of researchers. There is therefore a compelling need for nations, organisations and individuals to engage in a systemic approach to research and development if they must meet up with international best practices. Technological advancements usually result in a broad range of reactions ranging from the funny to the absurd. The results of research and development have made some to think it is magic while others see it as lunacy. Arthur C Clarke says any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic while Don Dellilo says This is the whole point of technology. It creates an appetite for immortality on the one hand. It threatens universal extinction on the other. Albert Einstein even says it has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 1

2 humanity. This notwithstanding either good or bad, humanity is stuck with technology. The Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS) and indeed all Nigerians therefore must make the most of it. 2. Metals are the fulcrum around which most technological advancements revolve. From the simplest of farming tools or household utensils to the most advanced forms of protecting nationhood and territorial integrity, metals are an obvious pearl that must be processed and harnessed. Interestingly, our nation Nigeria is blessed with loads of metals. From Farin Ruwa in Kano State to Nsudde in Enugu State, these metals abound in industrial quantities across the land. These metals must therefore be processed so as to develop our nation s capacity, provide employment opportunities and provide avenue for national security. Failure to do this will result in Nigeria depending on importation of such metals that are of lesser quality compared to those found within our shores. Engaging in importation will invariably deplete our foreign reserves and erode confidence in local production. Concerted efforts into research and development of metals in our country will not only provide materials for defence, it will as well revolutionise the metal industry. The Nigerian Metallurgical Society must therefore as a matter of utmost importance galvanise the efforts of all its members so as to provide a road map for the development of the metals industry in Nigeria. The purpose of this therefore is to 2

3 highlight the preponderance of metal deposits in Nigeria as well as industries that process the metals. It will further look at the challenges of these industries and finally proffer solutions to such challenges. PREPONDERANCE OF SOLID MINERALS 3. Nigeria is endowed with a variety of solid mineral resources arising from its favourable geological formations. Nigeria solid mineral deposits are estimated to be in billions of metric tons and is capable of creating millions of jobs and also generate more revenue than crude oil. Below is a list containing names of different solid minerals and states where they are found in Nigeria. a. Abia State. Glass sand, limestone, salt, shale, ball clay, galena, granite, marble, laterite, bentonite, phosphate, kaolin, pyrite, feldspar, petroleum, lignite, gypsum, sphalerite, clay. b. Adamawa State. Granite, clay, gypsum, limestone, uranium, kaolin, coal, trona, barite, salt, marble, magnesite, laterite. c. Akwa Ibom State. Clay, glass sand, salt, silica sand, granite, coal, petroleum, natural gas, kaolin, limestone, lignite. d. Anambra State. Clay, iron stone, natural gas, petroleum, sand stone, kaolin, pyrite, lignite. e. Bauchi State. Kaolin, trona, gypsum, cassiterite, mica, clay, tantalite, galena, iron ore, gemstone, sphalerites, silica sand, 3

4 barite, columbite, zinc, lead, muscovite, quartz, columbite, tin, glass sand, salt, monazite, feldspar, graphite, wolfram, caol, agate, tantalum, rutile, tungsten, copper, talc, ilmenite, zircon. f. Bayelsa State. Salt, petroleum, natural gas, silica sand g. Benue State. Bentonite, crude salt, petroleum, limestone, glass sand, Gemstone, barites, feldspar, marble, mica, silica sand, quartz, galena, lead, zinc ore, silica sand, clay, coal, gypsum, kaolin, anhydrite, calcium, sulphate, brick clay, crushed and dimension stone, fluorspar, wolframite, bauxite, shale, magnetite, ilmenite, branite. h. Borno State. Silica sand, natural gas, sapphire, topaz, mica, quartz, gypsum, uranium, iron ore, magnesite, feldspar, granite, aquamarine, nepheline, limestone, kaolin, bentonite, laterite clay, refractory clay, trona, gold, tin, potash. i. Cross Rivers State. Salt, limestone, coal, manganese, mica, ilmenite, gold, quartz, glass sand, tourmaline, petroleum, natural gas, kaolin, tin ore, mica, sharp sand, clay, spring water, salt deposits, talc, granite, galena, lead zinc, tin ore, goethite, Muscovite, uranium, barites. j. Delta State. Kaolin, lateritic clay, gravel, silica sand, natural gas, petroleum, ball clay, bauxite, granite, river sand, clay, spring water 4

5 k. Ebonyi State. Lead/Zinc ore, salt, limestone, ball clay, refractory clay, gypsum, granite. l. Edo State. Charnockite, copper, gold, marble, granite, gypsum, petroleum, diorite, lignite, limestone, ceramic clay. m. Ekiti State. Clay, charnockite, quartzite, lignite, limestone, granite, gemstone, bauxite, cassiterite, columbite, tantalite, feldspar, kaolin. n. Imo State. Crude oil, shale, natural gas, kaolin, laterite sand, limestone, salt, marble. o. Jigawa State. Glass sand, granite, laterite clay, silica, kaolin, iron ore, quartz, potash, talc, limestone. p. Kaduna State. Muscovite, granite, gold, manganese, clay, graphite, sand zircon, kyanite, tin ore, ilmenite, gemstone, columbite. q. Kano State. Clay, laterite, cassiterite, columbite, ilmenite, galena, phyrochlorite, kaolin, gemstone, silica, tin ore, monazite, wolframite, thorium, granite, hyalite, kaolin, beryl, amethyst, gold. r. Katsina State. Gold, manganese, lateritic clay, feldspar, black tourmaline, amethyst, quartz, kaolin, mica, gypsum, silimanite, clay, granite sand, uranium, asbestos, tourmaline, serpentine (chresolite asbestos), chromites, ilmenite, diamond, graphite, iron ore, potash, silica sand. 5

6 s. Kebbi State. Salt, iron ore, gold, feldspar, limestone, quartz, bauxitic clay, manganese, kaolin, mica. t. Kogi State. Clay, iron ore, gemstone, marble, limestone, feldspar, dolomite, phosphate, mica, cassiterite, granite, ornamental stone, coal, kaoline. u. Kwara State. Clay, kaolin, silica sand, quartz, dolomite, marble, feldspar, gold, tantalite, cassiterite, granite, limestone. v. Lagos State. Silica sand, bitumen, sharp sand, gravel, petroleum, laterite. w. Nassarawa State. Cassiterite, gemstone, amethyst, beryl, chrysolite, emerald, garnet, sapphire, topaz, barites, galena, monazite, zircon, glass sand, coal. x. Niger State. Ball clay, kaolin, limestone, granite, glass sand, iron ore, red clay, feldspar, gold, graphite, cyanite, silica sand, quartz, asbestos, marble, talc, gemstone. y. Ogun State. Kaolin, feldspar, silica sand, mica, granite, clay, phosphate, gypsum, limestone, quartz, tar sand. z. Ondo State. Marble, gold, gemstone, clay, diorite, lignite. aa. Osun State. Clay, granite, ilmenite, iron ore, kaolin, quartz, talc, marble, dolomite, tourmaline, aquamarine, amethyst. bb. Oyo State. Clay, feldspar, granite, ilmenite, iron ore, kaolin, quartz, talc, marble, dolomite, tourmaline, aquamarine, amethyst. 6

7 cc. Plateau State. Monazite, columbite, feldspar, clay, cassiterite, gemstone, kaoline, dolomite, mica, zircon, marble, ilmenite, barites, quartz, talc, galena. dd. River State. Petroleum, natural gas, silica sand, glass sand, clay. ee. Sokoto State. Silica sand, clay, salt, limestone, phosphate, gypsum, kaolin, laterite, potash, granite. NIGERIAN SOLID MINERAL INDUSTRIES 4. There are a number of industries that process solid minerals in Nigeria. They include but are not limited to the following: a. Kam Steel Integrated Complex, Jimba Oja, Kwara State b. Energio Exploration, Agbaja, Kogi State c. Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, Kogi State. d. Global Steel: Signed an agreement recently with Federal Government to resuscitate Itakpe. e. Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ASCON). f. Delta Steel Company (DSC), Aladja. g. Katsina Steel Rolling Mills. h. Jos Steel Rolling Mill. i. Nigerian Machine Tools, Oshogbo. 7

8 j. Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC). k. Makeri Smelting Plant. l. National Metallurgical Development Centre. CHALLENGES 5. There is a myriad of challenges bedevilling the solid mineral industries in Nigeria. These challenges include the following: a. Lack of scholarly traits. b. Inadequate laws. c. Government policy summersault. d. Lack of business acumen. e. Inadequate training. f. Unwholesome foreign influence. g. Absence of a military industrial complex. h. Very poor R&D culture. WAY FORWARD 6. To mitigate the challenges of metal industries in Nigeria, a few cogent steps need be taken. These steps include the following: a. Acquisition of Scholarly Tendencies. All metallurgists must urgently imbibe scholarly attributes and tendencies. A situation 8

9 where new thoughts and ideas are not being churned out on a regular basis is inimical to the growth of research and development. Most times, these ideas will be termed crazy and unachievable. This however is what will feed research and development. When embraced, these attributes will effectively combat the preponderance of intellectual laziness. b. Strengthening of Exploration Laws. The mining and exploration of mineral deposits are controlled by certain laws of Nigeria. There is the need to have the spirit and letter of these laws come to a point of convergence. Until this is done, the laws will remain laure ducks and would not fly. To strengthen these lwas, professionals must pick up the gauntlet and compel all that are concerned to walk by the dictates of such laws. As a first step, all metallurgists will need to know these laws and their applicability. The Nigerian Metallurgical Society on the other hand should be ready as a professional body to challenge any infraction of the law. c. Continuity in Government Policies. Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC) was privatized to Global Steel, an Indian company in the 2004/2005 privatisation exercise. The company was unable to fully revive or complete the installation of the plant. The concession was terminated in The company was recently called back and signed a new agreement to revive and complete the 9

10 installation. Such policy summersault does not augur well for development and therefore must be eschewed. d. Inability to Maximise the Mining Industry s Potentials. The mining of minerals in Nigeria accounts for only 0.3% of its GDP. This is due largely to the abundance of vast oil resources. Nigeria used to be a mining nation topping world columbite production. e. Engage in Continuing Professional Development. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) should be embraced by all stakeholders as it provides a route for advancements. CPDs are provided from three sources. f. Strengthen the Spirit of the Local Content Law. The Nigerian Metallurgical Society must play its part in giving bite to the local content law. As a professional body, necessity is laid in NMS to stand up for the local content law come rain or shine. When done our nation will cease to be a dumping ground for fake or substandard solid minerals. g. Position NMS for MIC. Universal antecedents and trends have shown that technological advancements in nations are birthed by the military of such nations. Our dear country is at the verge of forming the Nigerian Military Industrial Complex. Wisdom therefore demands that NMS locks its position by providing materials engineers that can stand out on the international stage. 10

11 h. Embrace the Essentials of Research and Development. Innovation centres should be created by NMS across the country. The Nigeria Metallurgical Society must fully embrace the essentials of research and development for it to make a headway. These essentials include the following: i. Abstract (not astral) thinking. ii. iii. iv. Openness to criticism. Staying power. Follow procedures. v. Convivial atmosphere for research work. IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 7. Research and development into the solid minerals industry is acutely important if the territorial integrity of our nation must be intact. The NMS must therefore entrench research and development in its operations for the following reasons: a. R&D is a catalyst for growth in all ramifications. b. R&D engenders breakthroughs. c. R&D accentuates contemporary technology. d. R&D forecasts future development. e. R&D guides strategic planning. 11

12 f. R&D results in innovation. CONCLUSION 8. The Nigerian Metallurgical Society is a credible partner in developing the solid minerals industry in Nigeria. It has over the years taken steps to be at the forefront of national development. Contemporary situation however demands that the Society must up its game in the area of research and development so as to meet international best practises. The security architecture of our nation is certainly incomplete without the efforts of the Nigerian Metallurgical Society. No stone should be left unturned by the Society in making its critical contribution to national security. 9. The Nigerian Metallurgical Society must urgently raise innovation centres across the country where metals and solid minerals are found. It must as well encourage scholarly attributes among its members. The Society must rise in support of the local content law so as to discourage importation of substandard materials that impact negatively on the nation. Global antecedents and trends show that nations that excel technologically have their respective military forces as its spring board. The Nigerian Metallurgical Society must therefore position itself correctly in the forthcoming formation of the Nigerian Military Industrial Complex that DICON will serve as its hub. The present 12

13 leadership of the Society will do well to take note of one or two suggestions that are in this paper. 13