22nd September, 2023
By Muhammad Lawal
Kebbi state government has suspended mining activities across the state as a measure to curb security challenges bedevilling the state.
Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, Secretary to State Government (SSG), confirmed this on Friday while briefing reporters in his office in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, the decision was in accordance with recent heightened security concerns in towns with mining sites in the state.
He added that the suspension was due to a lack of verified evidence of miners’ corporate social responsibilities.
“Also, there is a total absence of accruable revenue in the names of ecological tax and development levy for state and local governments, respectively. A significant number of miners do not possess the requisite permit from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Minerals and have an observable environmental impact.
“For these reasons, the government of Kebbi, under the able leadership of Dr. Nasir Idris, has made a difficult but enviable 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.
According to him, the government is aware that mining is on the Exclusive Legislative List, but the suspension decision was reached after a thorough review of the present security situation at the mining sites.
The SSG also expressed major worries regarding the safety of those participating in the industries.
This, he added, was accompanied by an apparent lack of demonstrable indicators of corporate social responsibility in the midst of a total lack of revenue generation.
Bala-Tafida stated that the state administration considered it critical to prioritise the protection and security of its inhabitants and to prevent unlicensed miners from turning the mining fields into a breeding ground for criminals.
“This scenario has manifested itself in other neighbouring states, which we want to avert.
“It is significant to specially note that the Kebbi 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 revenue from their mining activities.
“These are indeed fundamental infractions,” he noted.
The SSG reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the problems through thorough review and stringent regulation and enforcement.
He stated that the goal would be to promote responsible mining, protect the environment, increase revenue production, and, most significantly, provide an effective proactive security measure.
He recalled how the current administration had spent vast sums of money to enhance the security situation throughout the state and promised to build on those accomplishments.
However, he was disappointed to learn that none of the ostensibly titled holders had any sort of agreement with the host town on community development agreements.
He explained that this was because such an agreement compelled the developers to carry out specific development projects as part of their socioeconomic commitment.
While acknowledging that the suspension will have a temporary impact on mining activity, the SSG assured all stakeholders of the government’s commitment to resolving the underlying violations and creating a safe and conducive environment for mining to resume.
NAN