From : Tasiu Dangata
As part of the effort to address the menance of illigal mining activities in Zamfara state, Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle has recently inagurated a 20- man Anti-Mining Committee established by his administration among others to identify the sites where mining activities is taken place aross the state.
Inagurating the committee under the chairmanship of Dr Sani Abdullah Shinkafi (Wamban Shinkafi) at Government House Chamber, Gusau, Governor Matawalle said the constitution of the committee was imperative considering the continued illegal mining activities in the state despite outlawing of the practice which, in itself, is counter productive.
“Even though mining is placed on the exclusive list in our constitution, mining activities have a huge impact on our state’s economy and the lives of our people” he observed.
He said the mining sector is very significant to the economy of the state. To underscore that importance, Matawalle noted that, before the current suspension of mining activities in the state by the Federal Government, a survey had shown that over 100,000 artisanal miners are operating in the state.
“they produce roughly 10 tonnes of gold per year they sell it at a local value of 70-80% of the international price. Of significant importance however, is the loss the federal and state governments ncurred due to non registration and abuse of procedure” he reiterated.
Governor Bello said majority of miners working in the various mining fields in the state do so without any type of license, such as reconnaissance, exploration, or mining leases license. This according to him deprives the federal and state governments of royalties from access fees, ground rents, and other levies that the state may deem appropriate in order to facilitate the safety, security and wellbeing of the miners and the mining communities, all while remaining within the legal parameters.
It is also reported that the activities of illegal mining may have a link to the tertorist activities troubling the state, hence the ban by the Federal Government and the establishment of the anti illegal miming squad which the Committee at the state level will now complement.
While congratulating the Committee members for their appointment, Goveror Bello further stated that their terms of reference is to determine the type and size of the activities taking place on each of the sites, identify owners of the site and the genuineness of their ownership, ascertain the extent of conformity of the mining activities in the state with mining regulations respectively and further advise the state government on any other mining-related issue, as well as on mining revenue sources for the state.
The Committee has former All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Governatorial candidate in 2019 elections general and Special Adviser to Governor Bello Matawalle on Inter- Governmental Affairs, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi (Wamban Shinkafi) as Chairman and Alh. Shehu J Mohammed Vice Chairman.
Other members of the committee also includes, Alhaji Lawali Kamsila Damri member, Ayuba Salisu Dansadau, Ibrahim Rabiu Kanwa, Bashiru Galadima Gusau, Aliyu Ahmed Anka, Usman Manu Dogo, Mansur D Mohammed Nasarawa , Ahmed Yushau Dosara, Aliyu Mafara , Izala Bungudu, Surajo Bawa Tsafe , Salisu Amiru Maikuru ,Ibrahim Muazu Danmaliki, Mohammed Dan’idi Sugugu, Murtala Chairman Cotton , Dauda Ahmad while Barr Surajo Usman Haske is to serve as the Secretary while Director Solids Minerals Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals as Assistant Secretary of the committee respectively.
Zamfara Souvenir news 