Kebbi Government has denied an online report alleging its involvement in illegal mining activities in Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area in Kebbi South Northwest Nigeria.
Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, Haliru Wasagu, made the denial at a News briefing in Birnin Kebbi.
Haliru Wasagu made it clear that since the advent of incumbent administration the government has placed premium on sanitizing the mining sector in the state by ensuring that licenced mining companies adhere strictly to rules and regulations governing the sector.
He said Kebbi has consistently been complementary to action of the Federal Government to prevent illegal mining, it is foolhardy for anyone, to accuse the state government of supporting such act.
“The government has made it an order prohibiting Emirs, District Heads or any individual to sign consent letter to any mining company”,
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining is the only regulatory authority to issue such permission”,
In September 2023, the Kebbi Government took decisive action to suspend all mining activities throughout the state due to concerns about illegal mining and related security issues to sanitize the sector.
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“This decision was also informed by several critical observations, that include lack of verifiable corporate social responsibility, CSR, initiatives, and community development agreement projects”.
The Commissioner announced that the State Government has so far approved and cleared seven mining companies to operate within the Libata area, with strict protocols put in place to ensure compliance with laid down rules and regulations.
Wasagu explained that on the specific case of Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area, Three Crowns Company, was issued licence by the Mining Cadastral Office Abuja for a total landmass of 5.4 square kilometres, (27 cadastral units), subsequently, a portion of this land ( 2 square kilometres or 10 cadastral units) was allocated to El-Tahdam Exploration Limited.
“This overlap caused by the Mining Cadastral Office Abuja, led to a dispute between the two companies, it is important to emphasize that the Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Mining has no involvement in this conflict”,
“Three Crowns fully completed the licencing process from state to federal levels”,
“The Kebbi Government remains committed to sanitizing the mining sector in the state, including the registration of Artisanal Miners to ensure that they operate within the provisions of the law”, he concluded.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
