Matawalle lauds Tinubu for lifting ban on mining activities in Zamfara

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for lifting the ban on mining exploration in Zamfara State.

He said the move would bring investors back to the state and also boost the state’s socio-economic development.

Mr Matawalle stated this on Sunday evening while addressing journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

Recall that a former president, Muhammadu Buhari, banned mining activities and also imposed a no-fly zone in the state.

But the former governor explained that since the announcement of the policy by the previous administration, the state had lost so much revenue in the solid minerals sector.

He revealed that many foreign nationals had shown interest in investing in the state, particularly in lithium exploration and production.

“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.

He said Mr 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,” Mr Matawalle added.

While appreciating the president for approving his request to allow mining activities to continue in the state, Mr Matawalle urged the people of the state to reciprocate the gesture by supporting the Tinubu administration.

On the surge of activities of the Lakurawa terrorist group, the former governor maintained that the measures taken in dealing with the situation are yielding positive results.

“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 armoury, 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,” Mr Matawalle said.