The Plateau Government has approved N50 million for the commencement of construction of a solid mineral village in the state.

Mr Abudullahi Abbas, the state Commissioner for Environment and Solid Mineral, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos.

Abbas said the village would serve as a mineral hub where various sold minerals from all over the country would be sold and bought.

“The mineral village would be a buying and selling centre for all kinds of natural minerals.

“Asides the buying and selling, there would be processing of certain minerals within the complex like tin and columbites, while gem stones would be cut and processed there.

“The village will be of international standard to attract foreign stakeholder, thereby boosting the internally generated revenue of the state and providing job for the youths,’’ he explained.

The commissioner said the construction of the village would begin before the end of 2016.

Abbas also said that the state government had approved N146 million for the exploration of oil and gas in the state.

He added that with the sedimentary formation in Wase Local Government Area of the state, the government would explore the possibilities of oil in that axis.

“Due to the sedimentary formation in Wase, which is close to the Benue axis, we are optimistic we will find oil,’’ he said.

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Lalong approves funds for exploration of oil & gas and building of solid minerals village in Plateau