Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has signed an Executive Order prohibiting traditional rulers from issuing consent letters for mining across the State.
The Executive Order was signed on Thursday at the Council Chambers, Government House, Gusau, North West, Nigeria.
A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, disclosed that the executive order was signed to stop one of the worst trends in the fight against banditry.
According to him, the order has banned all consent letters for mining and includes consent letters to individuals, companies, or organizations for mining activities.
The statement notes that, Governor Dauda Lawal while signing the order, reiterated that the decision was made due to the severe dangers posed by the rampant issuance of the consent letters.
He said: “Today, in my administration’s resolve to tackle insecurity, I signed an executive order prohibiting traditional rulers from issuing consent letters for mining across the 14 local government areas of Zamfara.
“As the Attorney General rightly stated, the mining activities in Zamfara have been identified as a significant factor contributing to the worsening security situation of the state, especially the menace of banditry”.
The statement also quoted Governor Lawal as saying, “As a responsible government, we must take decisive action to resolve the issue of illegal mining operations that have been contributing to the crisis. That is why I have signed the executive order. We are taking all necessary steps to rectify the problems bedeviling the issuance of consent letters, which have been recklessly abused.
Editor: Ken Eseni
