Citing violation, the plateau suspend mining activities – News – The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The involvement of traditional leaders, government officials and foreign nationals in the illegal mining forced governor Caleb Mutfwang to suspend exploration activities in the state of Payau.

He signed an executive order that suspends the mining activities in the state and inaugurated a technical committee to examine the licenses and compliance with the Directive.

The governor explained that the decision became necessary, because mining activities represent a serious threat to communities.

Mutfwang lamented that children had dropped out of school, while young girls became sexual slaves due to the negative consequences of uncontrolled mining operations.

Expressing anger with the illegal extension of the whole state, the governor revealed that over 4,600 mining ponds were abandoned by illegal miners operators.

He stressed that the sector remains largely irregular, while the players operate with impunity.

Mutfwang said that mining activities began to threaten residential homes, while raising concerns about the involvement of foreign nationals in illegal exploitation, which caused the Government to take immediate measures by suspending all activities to the necessary regulatory framework.

He showed the plans to create a “mining village” in which all mining transactions would take place under adequate supervision.

“The government will empower local miners to generate revenues and strengthen security to prevent illegal exploitation,” Mutfwang added.

He appealed to all interested parties to embrace the reforms with an open mind, stressing that the decision was for the collective good of the state.

In his observations, the president of the council on the plateau of the bosses and emires, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, congratulated the governor for timely intervention.

He warned that the devastation caused by illegal mining in the state of Zamfara could be replicated in the plateau, if not urgently addressed.

The monarch asked the Government to take decisive measures against those who sabotage their efforts.

The Environment Commissioner, Peter Lamba Gwom, stressed that environmental degradation directly affects human life, demanding collective actions to protect the natural resources of the state.