14th November, 2016
The Kebbi State Government has directed Sole Administrators of the 21 local governments in the state to guard against the activities of illegal miners in their areas.
Alhaji Abubakar Augie, the state Commissioner of Finance, gave the directive in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
Augie said that government was committed to checking the activities of illegal miners and directed the council administrators to mount surveillance in such areas.
As chief security officers of their localities, the council administrators have the responsibility of securing both public and government assets in their areas, Augie said.
“We, therefore, expect the council administrators to be up and doing in guarding against illegal mining activities,” the commissioner said.
He noted that government has commenced formal registration of capable mining entities with a view to ensuring that due processes of mineral exploration were adhered to.
According to him, the state will make maximum utilization of its mineral resources to diversify the economy, generate employment and boost its revenue base.
Kebbi is blessed with various mineral deposits, including Gypsum, Gold, Diamond, Kaoline and Iron Ore.
In 2013, an illegal mining entity was detected at the Garin Auwwal gold mine in of Fakai Local Government Area of the state.