As part of its oversight functions of close monitoring and supervision of mining activities across the state, Kano Ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources Commissioner, Alhaji Hamza Safiyanu, in his office, convened a strategic fact-finding meeting with a high powered delegation from Riruwai Community in Doguwa local Government Area.
In.a press statement issued by the Director public Enlightenment Adamu Ibrahim Dabo Anipr, MNGE, MSNB
The meeting according to the Commissioner was organized on the directive of the state Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to identify the remote and immediate cause of a lingering disagreement between two different indigenous community stakeholders particularly what one of the parties regard as ‘poor compliance’ to Community Development Agreement (CDA) by Century Mining Company (CMC) in the community and to recommend proper solution accordingly.
Alhaji Hamza Safiyanu emphasized during the meeting that …… ‘you see there is the need to have mutual understanding, tolerance and respect among you, the contending parties just to resolve the disagreement once for all. Yes, the State interest is really above that of any individual or group as per Solid Minerals Exploration and Exploitation in the state is concerned as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf major concerns are primarily the community welfare, Safeguarding environment and public security, no more no less.
Highlighting during the meeting, the Special Adviser to Governor on Solid Minerals, Alhaji Aminu Abba Ibrahim maintained that apart from strict compliance the stipulated CDA every mining company must ensure effective payment of Royalties and cooperate fully with host state government otherwise face the full wrath of the existing laws governing the conduct of the mining operations across the nation.
Engineer Usman Sule Riruwai the leader of the high powered delegation from Riruwai Community explained further ‘considering the fact that the other contending party remains recalcitrant, we have no option rather than to formally intimate the higher authority, the State Governor to wade into the matter with a view to finding a lasting and amicable solution to the lingering disagreement’.
A resolution was later reached that the Commissioner and the Special Adviser on Solid Minerals will have a similar meeting with the other party as well the company in the very near future and to subsequently organise another meeting comprising both parties in attendance with a view to synergize and arrive at a collective lasting but workable solution on all the issues at hand.
The Federal Mines Officer in charge of Kano State Engineer Ahmed Musa who represented the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals Development pledged to cooperate towards having better understanding and cooperation on the matter in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations governing the solid mineral sector.
Permanent Secretary Engineer Mansur Yakubu thanked the delegation for honoring the invitation to the meeting and expressed optimism that the contending issue would soon be resolved.
Adamu Ibrahim Dabo Anipr, MNGE, MSNB
Director Public Enlightenment
