From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State government has disclosed that the present administration is not encouraging illegal mining activities, and the Lukarawa terrorist group has been pushed out of the state, with a number of cattle recovered by the troops.
The state’s Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, Alhaji Haliru Aliyu Wasagu, confirmed this development at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi alongside his counterpart, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Ahmad Yakubu.
Speaking against allegations levelled against the state government by the opposition party regarding encouraging illegal mining activities in Libata, Ngaski LGA, Wasagu noted that the allegations are false and without any iota of truth.
According to him, “In the specific case of Libata, Ngaski LGA, Three Crowns Company was issued a 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 Exploitation 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 Development and Mining has no involvement in this conflict.
“While Three Crowns Company registered with the state government in 2023, the El-Tahdam Company did their own in 2024. Three Crowns fully completed the licensing process from the state to the federal level.”
He added that the Kebbi State Government has already approved and cleared seven companies to operate within the Libata area of the state.
The Commissioner further stated that the government has provided protocols and rules with which these companies must comply, such as registration with the Ministry, obtaining an introduction letter, applying for a licence at the Abuja Cadastral Office, as well as acquiring permits and clearances before commencing operations in allocated areas.
While speaking on the Kebbi State Government’s readiness to address urgent issues promptly, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Ahmad Yakubu, disclosed that due to the state government’s prompt interventions, the Lukarawa terrorist group has been dislodged from the state, with a large number of cattle recovered from Augie LGA.
Yakubu stated that the state government would never allow illegal mining activities because the government is seriously seeking revenue to meet its obligations to the electorate and would not condone any act that would affect its IGR.
He advised the opposition party to criticise the state government constructively based on facts. He stressed that Kebbi State opposition parties should appreciate the current administration, which is working hard to improve the state’s economy, infrastructure, and welfare of the people, in order to position the state favourably among its contemporaries.