The Kebbi State Government strongly denied allegations of endorsing illegal mining activities, describing the accusations as baseless and a deliberate attempt to undermine its developmental agenda.
Speaking at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, Haliru Aliyu-Wasagu, dismissed the report published by an online platform, “TruthNG.com”, as “fake, malicious, and aimed at distracting the administration of Governor Nasir Idris.”
Aliyu-Wasagu stated, “The briefing is to categorically debunk a recent online report that falsely claims the Kebbi State Government is supporting illegal mining activities in Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area.”
He highlighted that the Ministry of Solid Minerals was established in 2023, alongside eight other ministries, to diversify revenue and address key developmental priorities.
As part of its commitment to sanitizing the mining sector, the government suspended all mining activities in September 2023 to curb illegal operations and resolve associated security concerns.
“The suspension was necessary due to several issues, including a lack of verifiable corporate social responsibility initiatives, absence of community development agreements, and irregular payment of royalties and taxes to both federal and state governments,” Aliyu-Wasagu explained.
The commissioner revealed that seven companies have since been cleared to resume operations in Libata, following stringent protocols.
These protocols include registration with the state ministry, obtaining consent from local authorities, and adhering to federal licensing procedures.
He also clarified a specific dispute in Libata, where overlapping claims by two companies, Three Crown Company and El-Tahdam Exploration Limited had caused tension.
“This conflict arose from an overlap in allocations issued by the Mining Cadastral Office in Abuja.
The Kebbi State Ministry has no involvement in this dispute,” he said.
Aliyu-Wasagu emphasized that the state’s efforts are geared toward ensuring transparency and adherence to legal frameworks in the mining sector.
Supporting these assertions, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, accused the publication of attempting to derail the government’s progress.
He called on opposition parties to unite in supporting Governor Idris’ vision for a prosperous Kebbi State.
“This administration is the most responsive, inclusive, and caring in the state’s history.
It is not shameful for the opposition to acknowledge that ‘Kauran Gwandu is working.
Let’s support him,’” Ahmed-BK said.
He urged stakeholders to rally behind the governor to achieve a transformed and thriving Kebbi State
