NAN-HE-4
Miners
By Shuaibu Tatu
BirninKebbi, Nov.17, 2016 (NAN) The Kebbi State government has advised illegal miners in the state to obtain official permits and form cooperatives.
This will enable them to benefit from the state government and also protect them from prosecution.
The state Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Zailani Mohammad, gave the advice while addressing the miners at Mararabar in
Yauri Local Government area on Thursday.
Mohammed was accompanied by officials of the Revenue Mobiliation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in the state as well as other stakeholders.
He said the visit was to intimate the artisanal miners of the state government’s readiness to collaborate with them in harnessing solid mineral resources to boost revenue generation.
Mohammed urged them to be law abiding so that they could attract support from the state government.
He said that the state government would now focus attention on development of solid minerals in view of the falling price of crude oil.
The commissioner said that the aim of the visit was to interact with the miners on ways to boost revenue
generation in the state.
The state Commissioner of the Environment, Alhaji Suleiman Marafa, also advised the artisanal miners to be law abiding and adhere to rules on mining, especially payment of royalties to the state.
He also urged them to register with relevant state and national authorities.
The Chairman of Yauri Emirate Miners Association, Mallam Abdullahi Maiakwai, said the miners were law abiding and supported the authorities, especially on the payment of dues promptly. (NAN)
SZT//FF/TA
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Tajudeen Atitebi