Daily Trust - the online edition

For the Federal Capital Territory to be commercially viable and self sustaining, the government has to improve the infrastructural facilities and amenities, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCIMA) has said.

ABUCIMA’s First Deputy President, Mr Dele Oye, told newsmen that "government needs to develop the basic infrastructure in the FCT to encourage private investors."

Oye said that ABUCIMA has identified several areas of investments that could turn around the FCT from being only the seat of government but an industrial city of record.

"The FCT, besides its good climate conditions, is endowed with various solid mineral deposits which are of high quality and have potentials for both domestic and export markets," he said.

"The FCT Administration should make efforts to create a conducive environment for local and foreign investors to export the abundant economic resources of the FCT," he added.

Oye said that ABUCIMA has researched into some solid mineral deposits in the FCT and its environs which are in commercial quantities.

The solid minerals, he said, are marble, which could be found around, Ele and Kuzeili in Kwali area and white mica schist which he said exists around the village of Kabir, Mangoro, Kuzeili and Kaita Sabo.

Ceramic clay, he said could be found in the plains of Gwagwa, Karu, Rubochi, Yabo, Fwoga in Kwali and Bwari areas.

ABUCIMA, he said, located worlframite and tantalite deposits between Suleja and Burum while iron deposits are found in Robochi district within the village of Muro and West of Gwagwalada.

Tin and lead, according to him, could be found at Kusaka in Kuje village and also in some areas near Izom in Niger State.