As Nigeria grapples to manage its mineral resources for national development, Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited, MMNL, has called for stricter export regulations within the country with respect to export of solid minerals in raw form.

The company lamented the proliferation of solid minerals for export, stressing that the development is denying Nigeria huge capital.

Commenting, Mr. Amit Kumar Saraf, MMNL Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are producing batteries with 95 percent local input, thereby creating thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, contributing to the country’s economy and saving the valuable foreign exchange reserve.

“The rampant export of solid minerals like lead ore and lead Ingots which are basic raw materials are really affecting the nation’s economy. The federal government needs to restrict export of these solid minerals.”

This came even as StarPlus, a flagship brand of MMNL, received three awards at the annual Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Manufacturing Excellence and ECOWAS Energy Awards recently in Lagos.

Nigeria’s indigenous tubular battery company was awarded the 2023 “ECOWAS Inverter Battery Manufacturing Company of the Year, ECOWAS Inverter Battery Company of the Year, and ECOWAS Renewable Company of the Year.

On the award, Saraf, said: “It was a rave of accolades as we won these awards. We are the only designed and made in Nigeria tubular battery brand. Starplus battery