Thomas Abi Jr|24 August 2015|3:40pm
Schooling as a young boy in Model Secondary School, Okpoma, Yala, I discovered that Okpoma was a land blessed with so much salt deposit but poorly utilized. The issue of poor utilization of solid mineral resources is not peculiar to only Cross River State as it is a national problem that many States where mineral salt deposits are found are been abandoned and not given due priority.
A brief history about the salt in Nigeria shows that an important commodity such as salt which is used for domestic and industrial purposes is still imported. Research and statistics shows that Nigeria spends over 4-5 billion naira annually on these commodity, either in the processed or raw form. This is because Nigeria can not boast of a single salt packaging industry in the country.
The large amount of salt deposit in Okpoma ,Yala Local Government Area is one that must be greatly utilized and given adequate attention by government and the privates sector.
Cross River State is blessed with natural brine in lakes, springs and saline and rocky salt deposit which has been discovered in different parts of the State especially in Okpoma in Yala Local Government of the State. In spite of the large deposit of salt in the State, it is has been left for local dwellers to develop and process.
Salt is obtained from two sources; it is obtained from brine and rocky salt. Rocky salt is the crystallized salt. It comes to play as a result of the evaporation of oceans million and centuries of years ago.
The brine salt is the one found in most parts of Cross River State. It comes as a result of water having a high concentration of salt. It can be found in salty rivers, lakes etc.
Cross River State must as a matter of urgency key into salt production. Especially as the State is experiencing huge financial deficit and several backlog of debts in the State. The State must diversify in producing salt in commercial quantity by paying attention to salt deposits in the State.
It is on record that there is a high demand for table salt, caustic soda, sodium bicarbonate , sodium hydrochloric acids and hydrogen peroxide. It is also on record that a huge amount of money is expended every year for importation of various chemicals used in companies in the country. Cross River State must key into table salt as quick as possible as most companies need table salt for their production.
As a State in dire need of opportunities and ideas on how to generate revenue in order to meet up with the quantum of needs of the People of the State; it is advised that the State looks in the direction of salt production in the State.
Lest we forget, apart from the industrial benefits of table salt in companies, they are also for human consumption . Most of the beverages produced require salt, the food prepared in our homes also require salt to make it tasty. And so, the production for salt in commercial quantity can not be over emphasized, as it is timely, welcoming and of great importance to the State as it will create jobs for our teeming youths who are jobless.
The market for salt is a clear reflection of the Nigeria population. With a population of over 170 million People, once Cross River State is able to go into salt production, the local market is readily available for the growing economy of the State. If produced, the Cross River Salt can be exported to other parts of Africa, Europe, America where it can be used in the production of animal nutrition and many more.
It is on this note that I am calling on the adroit jingoist Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade to look into the Salt sector of the State by paying attention to the salt deposit in Okpoma and other parts of Cross River State.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst/Social Commentator
