Birnin-Kebbi, Sept. 22, 2023 – Kebbi State Government has suspended mining activities in the state due to heightened insecurity reports across the state.
Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, told journalists in Birnin-Kebbi on Friday that there were increasing security concerns from the mining sites,
He said the decision was also due to lack of verified evidence of positive economic impact of mining activities in the state.
“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.
The Secretary to the government said the government was aware that mining was on the exclusive legislative list, but the decision was taken after a thorough review of the security situation.
He said the state government considered it critical to protect its inhabitants than to allow unlicensed miners to turn the mining fields into breeding ground for criminals.
Bala-Tafida said this scenario had manifested in other neighbouring states. (GBN)
