Kebbi Government Denies Allegations of Supporting Illegal Mining Activities
The Kebbi State government has strongly refuted recent media reports suggesting that it supports illegal mining activities. Alhaji Haliru Aliyu-Wasagu, the state’s Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, addressed the claims at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi over the weekend, calling the allegations baseless and malicious.
Aliyu-Wasagu responded to a report published online last week titled “Illegal Mining in Kebbi: Concerns Mount Over Security Agencies’ Role, Chinese Nationals.” The article had alleged conflicts between mining companies and accused the Chinese-owned CRCC of aiding illegal mining operations. However, the commissioner categorically denied these claims, emphasizing that the Kebbi government is not involved in illegal mining activities, especially in the Libata area of Ngaski Local Government.
The commissioner reiterated that the state’s Ministry of Solid Minerals was established in 2023 as part of Governor Nasir Idris’ administration’s efforts to diversify the state’s revenue streams and address key developmental challenges. In response to growing concerns over illegal mining and its associated security risks, the government suspended all mining operations across the state in September 2023 to sanitize the sector.
Aliyu-Wasagu highlighted the lack of corporate social responsibility, community development agreements, and proper royalty payments as critical reasons for this suspension. Despite these concerns, he confirmed that the state government has since approved seven mining companies to operate in the Libata region, with strict protocols to ensure compliance with regulations.
Among these protocols, mining companies must be registered with the state ministry, obtain consent letters from local leaders, and adhere to federal licensing requirements. The commissioner also emphasized that proper community development agreements and compensation for host communities are essential elements of the government’s mining framework.
In the case of Libata, the commissioner clarified that the overlap between Two Crown Company and El-Tahdam Exploration Limited resulted from an issue with the Mining Cadastral Office in Abuja. This overlap has caused a dispute between the two companies, but Aliyu-Wasagu stressed that the Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals is not involved in the conflict.
Furthermore, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, condemned the media report as an attempt to distract from the government’s positive initiatives. He urged opposition parties to support the governor’s vision for a transformed Kebbi, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and inclusivity.
The commissioners’ statements reinforce the Kebbi State government’s stance on promoting a lawful and transparent mining sector while fostering development across the state.The Kebbi State government has strongly refuted recent media reports suggesting that it supports illegal mining activities. Alhaji Haliru Aliyu-Wasagu, the state’s Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, addressed the claims at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi over the weekend, calling the allegations baseless and malicious.
Aliyu-Wasagu responded to a report published online last week titled “Illegal Mining in Kebbi: Concerns Mount Over Security Agencies’ Role, Chinese Nationals.” The article had alleged conflicts between mining companies and accused the Chinese-owned CRCC of aiding illegal mining operations. However, the commissioner categorically denied these claims, emphasizing that the Kebbi government is not involved in illegal mining activities, especially in the Libata area of Ngaski Local Government.
The commissioner reiterated that the state’s Ministry of Solid Minerals was established in 2023 as part of Governor Nasir Idris’ administration’s efforts to diversify the state’s revenue streams and address key developmental challenges. In response to growing concerns over illegal mining and its associated security risks, the government suspended all mining operations across the state in September 2023 to sanitize the sector.
Aliyu-Wasagu highlighted the lack of corporate social responsibility, community development agreements, and proper royalty payments as critical reasons for this suspension. Despite these concerns, he confirmed that the state government has since approved seven mining companies to operate in the Libata region, with strict protocols to ensure compliance with regulations.
Among these protocols, mining companies must be registered with the state ministry, obtain consent letters from local leaders, and adhere to federal licensing requirements. The commissioner also emphasized that proper community development agreements and compensation for host communities are essential elements of the government’s mining framework.
In the case of Libata, the commissioner clarified that the overlap between Two Crown Company and El-Tahdam Exploration Limited resulted from an issue with the Mining Cadastral Office in Abuja. This overlap has caused a dispute between the two companies, but Aliyu-Wasagu stressed that the Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals is not involved in the conflict.
Furthermore, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, condemned the media report as an attempt to distract from the government’s positive initiatives. He urged opposition parties to support the governor’s vision for a transformed Kebbi, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and inclusivity.
The commissioners’ statements reinforce the Kebbi State government’s stance on promoting a lawful and transparent mining sector while fostering development across the state.
