The Kebbi State Government has suspended all mining activities in the state and directed security agencies to ensure strict compliance with immediate effect.
Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Yakubu Bala at a press conference on Friday explained that the recent heightened security challenges in the localities sites across the state and other concerns such as lack of verifiable evidence of corporate social responsibilities and total absence of accruable revenue prompted the State Government to take the needful action.
“In the light of recent heightened security challenges in the localities of mining sites across the state and other concerns, such as lack of verifiable evidence of corporate social responsibilities on the part of Miners, the total absence of accruable revenue in the names of Ecological tax and development levy for State and Local Government respectively, that significant number of Miners do not posses requisite permit by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals and observable environmental impact.
“For these reasons, the Government of Kebbi State under the able leadership of Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris had made a difficult but inevitable decision to suspend all mining activities until further notice. This suspension is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of both mining workers and local communities”, he said.
The SSG noted that the State Government was fully aware that Mining falls under the exclusive legislative list and stressed that the decision for the suspension was made after a thorough assessment of the current security situation in the mining sites.
He added that the situation in the mining sites has raised serious concerns about the safety of those involved in the industries, coupled with the apparent lack of verifiable signs of Corporate social responsibilities in the midst of complete revenue generation.
“The Kebbi State Government believes that it is of utmost importance to prioritize the protection and security of its citizens and to safeguard against converting the mining fields as a veritable platform for breeding of criminals and criminalities by unauthorized foreigners and non-indigenes of questionable characters, with the attendant’s consequences of an increase in banditry activities in our security compromised areas of Kebbi South.
“This scenario had manifested itself in other neighbouring States which we want to avert.
“It is significant to specifically note that, the Kebbi State Government is not officially aware of the presence of the self-acclaimed Mining licensed holders and artisanal miners operating in our Mine fields nor is it deriving any revenue from mining activities. These are indeed, fundamental infractions”, he said.
While directing all the security agencies to ensure strict compliance with the suspension until further notice, the SSG added that the decision was also part of a broader effort to create an environment that would promote safety, responsible resource extraction, long-term economic prosperity of the communities and to enhance revenue generation.
