Mining operations within Kebbi State have been brought to a standstill as the state government enforces a strict compliance directive, urging security agencies to act swiftly.
The confirmation of this development came from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala, during a press conference held in his office on Friday.
He provided insight into the State Government’s rationale for taking action, citing the recent surge in security challenges in various locations throughout the state and raising concerns about the lack of tangible evidence of corporate social responsibility efforts and the absence of revenue generation.
According to him, ‘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’.
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The SSG made it clear that the State Government fully acknowledged that mining falls within the exclusive legislative list, emphasising that the suspension decision was taken after a thorough examination of the current security situation at mining sites.
He observed that the situation at the mining sites has given rise to serious safety concerns for those involved in the sector. This is exacerbated by the obvious lack of verifiable signs of corporate social responsibility, even as revenue generation remains absent.
He commented on the worrisome conditions at the mining sites, which have triggered considerable anxiety regarding the safety of industry participants. This anxiety is compounded by the noticeable absence of verifiable indicators of corporate social responsibility in a context of no 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 issuing orders to all security agencies for strict compliance with the suspension until further notice, the SSG highlighted that this decision is part of a broader endeavour to establish an environment conducive to safety, responsible resource extraction, the enduring economic prosperity of communities, and increased revenue generation.