Kebbi Govt Denies Illegal Mining Allegation

The Kebbi State government has denied supporting illegal mining activities in Libata village, which is part of the Ngaski local government area.

The state commissioner for solid minerals development and mining, Haliru Aliyu Wasagu, debunked the allegation on Saturday when he reacted to a media report that the Kebbi Government was supporting illegal mining activities in the state at a news conference held in his office in Birnin Kebbi.

The commissioner described the report as fake, malicious, and a calculated attempt to distract the present administration in 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.”

Wasagu recalled that the Ministry of Solid Minerals was established in 2023 alongside eight other new ministries by the administration of Governor Nasir Idris, aimed at diversifying the state’s revenue sources and addressing key developmental priorities.

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He added that in September 2023, the state government took decisive action to sanitise the mining sector by suspending all mining activities across the state due to concerns about illegal mining and related security issues.

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

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

The commissioner, however, 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.

The commissioner pointed out that in the specific case of Libata, Ngaski LGA, Three Crown Company was issued a license 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 Exploration.