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The Bauchi State Government has expressed strong disapproval of illegal mining activities and vowed to take decisive action against anyone involved in such practices.
This was disclosed in a press release issued on Friday by Saleh Umar, the Information and Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Ministry of Natural Resources.
The statement explained that the Bauchi State Government, in its efforts to curb illegal mining due to its negative impact on the state, has initiated sensitisation campaigns targeting stakeholders in local government areas.
Saleh stated that the Ministry, led by Mohammed Maiwada, visited Ningi Local Government Area to educate local stakeholders on government policies and programmes in the mining sector, aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of illegal mining.
“The state government has implemented the necessary structures to formalise the activities of illegal local miners and assist them in engaging in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through registration as cooperative societies.
“The state government has also introduced the requirement of obtaining a clearance letter from the Ministry of Natural Resources. This enables authorities to identify those investing in the state’s domain, ensuring compliance with regulations, adherence to environmental protection laws, and the observance of the Community Development Agreement (CDA),” the statement added.
During the sensitisation event, held at the Ningi Local Government conference hall on 4th September 2024, the Commissioner encouraged various mining operators to ensure the payment of royalties and other revenues to promote development and maintain peace in the state.
He warned that the government would not tolerate operators neglecting their corporate responsibilities.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Maijama’a Dewu, stressed the importance of cooperation between the state, local governments, and community members, noting that peaceful coexistence is key to achieving meaningful development.
According to him, the Bauchi State Government has made significant strides in providing security.
PUNCH Online reported that the statement also highlighted the contributions of Bello Galoji, Chairman of the Bauchi State Mineral Resources and Environmental Protection Committee, who emphasised the need to protect the environment from degradation caused by mining activities.
As part of the environmental protection efforts, Bello encouraged tree planting and distributed tree seeds to participants, urging them to plant them in their respective areas.
Illegal mining refers to the extraction of minerals or geological materials from the earth without proper authorisation, permits, or compliance with legal regulations.
