Commissioner debunks alleged illegal mining activities in Kebbi

Commissioner debunks alleged illegal mining activities in Kebbi

Alhaji Haliru Aliyu-Wasagu, Kebbi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, has on Sunday, debunked media report that Kebbi Government was supporting illegal mining activities in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on the matter, the commissioner described the report as fake, malicious and a calculated attempt to distract the present administration’s efforts towards repositioning the state.

He said: “The briefing is to categorically debunk a recent online report published by www.truthng.com which falsely alleges that the Kebbi Government is supporting illegal mining activities in Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area.”

The commissioner recalled that the ministry of solid minerals was established in 2023 alongside eight other new ministries by the administration of Gov. Nasir Idris aimed at diversifying the state’s revenue sources and addressing key developmental priorities.

Aliyu-Wasagu also recalled that in Sept. 2023 the state government took a decisive action with a view to sanitising mining sector by suspending all mining activities across the state due to the concerns about illegal mining and related security issues.

He said the decision was also informed by several critical observations, including; lack of verifiable corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, community development agreement projects, and proper payments of royalties and tax to federal and state governments among others.

He, however, said that the state government had so far approved and cleared seven mining companies to operate within Libata area.

The commissioner said strict protocols were in place to ensure compliance with the laid down rules and regulations including; registration with the state ministry of solid minerals development and mining.

Others according to him, are; obtaining an introduction letter from the ministry to be presented to the Emir or District Head concern for signing of consent letter to be forwarded to the Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja and applying for license at the Ministry Cadastral Office, Abuja.

“The rule also insist on validation of licenses by the ministry through the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO) server, engaging host communities for compensation and designing a Community Development Agreement (CDA) projects and insurance of permits/clearance by the state ministry before the commencement of any mining activity.

“In specific case of Libata, Ngaski LGA, Three Crown Company was issued a license by 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 mining cadastral office, Abuja, led to a dispute between the two companies.it is important to emphasise that the Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining has no involvement in this conflict.

“While Three Crown Company registered with the state government in 2023, El-Tahdam Company did their own in 2024, Three Crown fully completed the licensing process from the state to the federal levels,” he said.

Also contributing, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, said the publication was done to distract government’s attention from the good works it had already started for the good people of Kebbi State.

He stated that the state was never opportune to have government that was more responsive, more inclusive and more caring like the present administration, hence the need for the opposition parties in the state to sheathe their swords and join the vanguard of positive change.

While assuring that Gov. Idris was democratically elected to foster democracy and ensure good governance, the commissioner observed that it was not shameful for the main opposition party, PDP, to say that, “Kauran Gwandu is working let’s support him.”

Ahmed-BK appealed to all and sundry to rally round the governor to enable him actualise his vision for a new, prosperous and transformed Kebbi State.