The Emir of Anka and Chairman, Council of Chiefs in Zamfara, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, has advised the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to ban illegal mining in the north-western state.
The monarch gave the advice on Tuesday while receiving the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Zamfara, Alhaji Aliyu Alhaji-Garba, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, who paid him a courtesy visit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the NSCDC officials, in collaboration with the federal ministry of mines and steel development, were in Anka to meet with local miners.
“Instead of a total ban, government should sensitise illegal miners and also give them close monitoring to ensure they complied with the rules and regulations of the trade.
“Though illegal mining has negative implications, especially on health, environment, ecology and security, government should also be considerate.
“The total ban will result in massive unemployment which may escalate insecurity already bedeviling the state,” the monarch said.
He lamented that most of the mining companies in the state were not helping their host communities. The emir assured his visitors of total support and cooperation from the emirate and traditional rulers toward reviving and modernising the mining sector.
