Monarch calls for development of Keana salt

The Osana of Keana in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Agbo, has called on the new administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule to develop the ancient Keana salt industry for the benefit of the state and the local people. The chief said he was worried over high unemployment rate and harped on the need to raise the […]

The Osana of Keana in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Agbo, has called on the new administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule to develop the ancient Keana salt industry for the benefit of the state and the local people.

The chief said he was worried over high unemployment rate and harped on the need to raise the revenue base of the state.

He spoke through Joseph Ogoshi, the Moyi Keana, traditional prime minister in Lafia on Sunday.

He lamented that Keana salt, which was discovered in the early 13th century, was still being processed through traditional method.

The monarch noted that the development of the salt industry would not only provide job opportunities for the youth but also raise the revenue base of the state. He explained that the salt would be produced in large quantity to be exported as Nigerian salt to other countries.

Similarly, Usman Agidi, Sarkin Gishiri who is the custodian of the salt mining site, said in the recent past, over 1000 people were mining at the site daily in the dry season, but that the number kept decreasing due to lack of government intervention.

He explained that if government intervenes, the site would attract more people who would produce salt throughout the year.

He pointed out that due to the high quality of the salt, people from other states visit Keana to purchase the product.

The sarkin gishiri further explained that the previous government started a water reservoir project to enhance production of salt throughout the year, but the project was abandoned.

He, therefore, called on the youths in the area to learn the act of salt production because most of the miners are aged women.