Niger state inaugurates task force to curb illegal mining

The Niger government has inaugurated a task force to checkmate illegal mining activities in the state.

NAN reports that Yakubu Garba, the acting governor of the state, who inaugurated the task force on Monday, announced the conditional lifting of the ban on illegal mining in the state.

The federal government had on August 22 banned all mining activities in Shiroro LGA of the state after bandits killed residents.

Garba said that the task force is expected to monitor, identify, and report illegal mining sites and child labour around the areas.

He added that the team would also monitor compliance with the executive order on the suspension of illegal mining and profiling mining companies, while reporting security challenges, and non-payment of revenue and royalties to the state.

The acting governor noted that the taskforce is also saddled with the responsibility of identifying the types of mineral titles held by companies and compliance of companies with extant mining laws.

Garba added that most of the attacks on communities are fueled by the deposit of mineral resources in the state.

On his part, Abubakar Usman, chairman of the task force and secretary to the Niger state government, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and promised to carry out the assignment diligently.

The committee would be co-chaired by Sabon Yahaya, the state commissioner for mineral resources, while Mohammed Yunusa, permanent secretary of the ministry, would serve as the secretary.

Other members include the commissioner for homeland security, the commissioner of police, the director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), 25 council chairmen, secretaries of the eight emirates, and representatives of the state assembly.