Kebbi Gov Debunks Claims Of Supporting Illegal Mining In Ngaski Local Government

The Kebbi State Government has refuted claims made in an online report by www.truthng.com alleging its support for illegal mining activities in Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area.

The clarification was made during a press briefing on Saturday by the Hon. Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, Hon Haliru Aliyu Wasagu alongside the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Hon Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining, Bello Yahaya Geza , the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity,Malam Yahaya Sarki and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris.

Alhaji Haliru Aliyu Wasagu made it clear that since the advent of incumbent administration of Governor Nasir Idris, the government has placed premium on sanitizing the mining sector in the state by ensuring that licenced mining companies adhere strictly to rules and regulations governing the sector.

” Kebbi has consistently been complementary to action of the Federal Government to prevent illegal mining, it is foolhardy for anyone, to accuse the state government of supporting such act”,

“The government has made it an order prohibiting Emirs, District Heads or any individual to sign consent letter to any mining company”,

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining is the only regulatory authority to issue such permission”,

“Under the Minerals and Mining Act, the Federal Government is the sole authority to issue mining licences because solid minerals are on the Exclusive Legislative List”,

“In pursuance of the Lands Use Act, lands in peculiar state belongs to respective state governments”,

“In Kebbi, we have effective monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with necessary laws pertaining to environment, corporate social responsibility and internally generated revenue”, the Commissioner explained.

Alhaji Wasagu said in September 2023, the Kauran Gwandu administration took decisive action to suspend all mining activities throughout the state due to concerns about illegal mining and related security issues to sanitize the sector.

“This decision was also informed by several critical observations, that include lack of verifiable corporate social responsibility, CSR, initiatives, and community development agreement projects”,

“There was also the problems of proper payments of royalties and ecological tax to the Federal and State Governments from mining operators, miners operating without requisite license from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, as well as environmental degradation caused by unregulated mining”, Wasagu remarked.

The Commissioner announced that Kebbi State Government has so far approved and cleared seven mining companies to operate within the Libata area, with strict protocols put in place to ensuring compliance with the laid down rules and regulations.

“Registration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining, obtaining an introduction letter from the Ministry for presentation to the Emir or District Head for signing of consent letter for onward submission to the Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja”,

“Other requirements are, applying for licence at the Cadastral Office following Due Process, validation of licences by the Ministry through the Mining Cadastral Office Server, engaging host communities for compensation and designing Community Development Agreement Projects, and issuance of permits/clearance by the State Ministry before the commencement of any mining activity”, the Commissioner added.

Alhaji Wasagu explained that on the specific case of Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area, Three Crowns Company, was issued licence by the Mining Cadastral Office Abuja for a total landmass of 5.4 square kilometres, (27 cadastral units), subsequently, a portion of this land ( 2 square kilometres or 10 cadastral units) was allocated to El-Tahdam Exploration Limited.

“This overlap caused by the Mining Cadastral Office Abuja, led to a dispute between the two companies, it is important to emphasize that the Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Mining has no involvement in this conflict”,

“Three Crowns company registered with the state government in 2023, El-Tahdam company did its own in 2024”,

“Three Crowns fully completed the licencing process from state to federal levels”,

“The Kebbi Government remains committed to sanitizing the mining sector in the state, including the registration of Artisanal Miners to ensuring that they operate within the provisions of the law”, he concluded.

The Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bello Yahaya Geza, as a Geologist,gave detailed explanation on operations, regulatory powers and performance of the Ministry for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, making it impossible for illegal mining to be carried out in the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad Birnin Kebbi, said, as the popular choice of the people of Kebbi, Governor Nasir Idris, has already entrenched an indelible legacy of progress and prosperity in all socioeconomic sectors of the state, including security to lives and property.

“No mud slinging or obnoxious accusations from the opposition can take him off course from service delivery through excellence”,

“The false accusation that the government is supporting illegal mining is continuing antics by the opposition out of frustration to demean the administration”,

“They are jealous of the remarkable progress on ground recorded by Governor Nasir Idris in uplifting the wellbeing of the populace, unparalleled in the history of Kebbi”, Birnin Kebbi emphasised.

Credit: Yahaya Sarki,
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Kebbi State Governor.