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The Kebbi State Government has refuted allegations of supporting illegal mining activities.
The state Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, Haliru Aliyu-Wasagu, addressing a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, dismissed the report as fake, malicious, and a calculated attempt to distract the current administration’s efforts to reposition 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.”
The commissioner explained that the Ministry of Solid Minerals was established in 2023, alongside eight other new ministries, by the administration of Governor Nasir Idris to diversify the state’s revenue sources and address key developmental priorities.
Aliyu-Wasagu further noted 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.
He highlighted several issues that necessitated the suspension, including a lack of verifiable corporate social responsibility initiatives, absence of community development agreements, and irregular payment of royalties and taxes to federal and state governments.
However, he stated that the government had since approved and cleared seven mining companies to operate in the Libata area, ensuring strict adherence to protocols and regulations. These include registration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining, obtaining an introduction letter to be presented to the Emir or District Head for a signed consent letter, and applying for a licence at the Mining Cadastral Office in Abuja.
He added, “The rules also mandate the validation of licences by the ministry through the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO) server, engaging host communities for compensation, designing Community Development Agreement (CDA) projects, and issuing permits or clearance from the state ministry before any mining activities commence.”
Regarding the specific case of Libata in Ngaski Local Government Area, Aliyu-Wasagu explained that Three Crown Company was issued a licence by the Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja, for a total landmass of 5.4 square kilometres (27 cadastral units). A portion of this land (2 square kilometres or 10 cadastral units) was later allocated to El-Tahdam Exploration Limited, causing a dispute.
He clarified, “This overlap, caused by the Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja, led to a conflict between the two companies. It is important to emphasise that the Kebbi State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Mining has no involvement in this dispute.”
Aliyu-Wasagu noted that while Three Crown Company registered with the state government in 2023 and completed its licensing process at both state and federal levels, El-Tahdam Exploration Limited completed its registration in 2024.
Contributing to the discussion, the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, accused the publication of attempting to distract the government from its developmental initiatives.
He stressed that the current administration is the most responsive, inclusive, and caring in the state’s history.
He urged opposition parties to set aside differences and support Governor Idris in achieving his vision for a prosperous and transformed Kebbi State, adding that the governor was democratically elected to ensure good governance.
Ahmed-BK remarked: “It is not shameful for the main opposition party, PDP, to acknowledge that ‘Kauran Gwandu is working. Let’s support him.’”
The commissioner called on all stakeholders to rally around the governor to enable the realisation of his developmental vision for Kebbi state.
