The Kebbi State Government on Friday announced the suspension of mining activities across the state as a measure to curb security challenges.
Briefing newsmen in his office in Birnin Kebbi, the Secretary to State Government (SSG) Yakubu Bala-Tafida said the decision was in line with recent heightened security challenges in localities with mining sites in the state.
He also said the suspension was occasioned by a lack of verifiable evidence of corporate social responsibilities on the part of miners.
“Also, there is the total absence of accruable revenue in the names of ecological tax and development levy for state and local government, respectively.
A significant number of miners do not possess the requisite permit from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Mineral and have an observable environmental impact.
“For these reasons, the government of Kebbi under the able leadership of Dr Nasir Idris has made a difficult but enviable decision to suspend all mining activities until further notice.
“This suspension is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of both mining workers and local communities,” he said.
According to him, the government is not unmindful of the fact that mining is under the Exclusive Legislative List, yet, the decision for the suspension was made after a thorough assessment of the current security situation in the mining sites.
The SSG added that the situation had raised serious concerns about the safety of those involved in the industries.
This, he said, was coupled with the apparent lack of verifiable signs of corporate social responsibility in the midst of a complete lack of revenue generation.