ZAMFARA (Sundiata Post) – The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says the Federal Government’s lifting of the ban on mining exploration in Zamfara State will bring investors and boost the state’s socio-economic development.
Matawalle stated this on Sunday evening while addressing newsmen in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
The minister explained that since the banning of mining activities during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari due to insecurity, the state has lost a lot in the area of solid minerals.
He described Zamfara State as a hub of mineral resources, stressing that many foreign nationals had shown interest in investing particularly in lithium.
“The then President (Buhari) placed a ban on mining and a no-fly zone but if you look at what we are losing in the state is huge because Zamfara is a hub that has a lot of potential in mineral resources,” the minister said.
According to him, the lifting would help in attracting investors to Zamfara within and outside the country.
Matawalle also stated that President Bola Tinubu has given directives that any potential investors who are ready to invest in the mining sector will process the Minerals in the state to create job opportunities and boost socio-economic development.
He said President Tinubu has prioritised the development of any state that has such potential.
“Mr President has approved lifting of the ban on mining, our people will benefit from it and it will bring more investors to come and invest in the state because Zamfara is a hub of mineral resources. Many foreign nationals showing interest, particularly in the issue of lithium. It is now lucrative. People are now going into the business of lithium, some developing countries are now using it to manufacture electric cars,” Matawalle added.
The immediate past governor of Zamfara commended Tinubu for approving his request to lift the ban on mining activities due to their impacts on the people of Zamfara State.
Matawalle urged Zamfara people to reciprocate the gesture by extending necessary support and cooperation to President Tinubu’s administration.
Lakurawa ‘Dealt With’
On the Lakurawa terrorist group, the minister maintained that the measures taken in dealing with the situation are yielding positive results and there was no report of them in the last two weeks.
He dispelled the rumour that the Lakurawa group is in Zamfara State.
“People have been talking about Lakurawa in Zamfara State. It is not true, Lakurawa is not in Zamfara State. They are coming from Burkina Faso and Mali, coming from Niger to Sokoto State.
“Last week, we had a major operation in their camp in which we destroyed their equipment and armory, and many of them were killed. I don’t believe that any member of Lakurawa will think of coming to Nigeria because we have given them.
“Since last two weeks, I’m very sure none of you have heard anything about their operation, because we actually dealt with them decisively and we leave no stone unturned on them,” Matawalle said.
He assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s determination to bring an end to the activities of bandits and other terrorist groups in the North-West and the country in 2025.
