-Fanda
By Nasiru Muhammad
Kano State Government has pledged to commence exploration of the huge deposit of the mineral resources in the state. To this end, the state government assured that it would do everything possible to utilize the opportunities in the mineral resources industry for the best interest of the state.
The state Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, AlhajiAdamu Abdu Fanda disclosed while receiving officials of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in state.
This information was revealed to The Triumph in a statement from the Chief Information Officer of the ministry, Malam Bashir Habib Yahya in Kano. According to the commissioner, who was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Lawan Shehu Abdulwahab, the state is blessed with abundant minerals resources, which if utilised, would certainly boost its economy and create wealth for its people and that of the country in general.
While maintaining that natural resources would make the state self-dependent in terms of revenue generation and create employment opportunities to the teeming youth across the country, the commissioner appealed to the stakeholders in the mining industries, especially those who secured mining licenses and were yet to commence operation, to allow other prospective miners to fully participate in the businesses.
He also advised relevant agencies responsible for the allocation of mining licenses to revoke the licenses of those who have the permission but did not start exploration. Earlier, the commissioner representing the state in the RMAFC, Barr. Farouk Umar Abdullahi, revealed that the commission has began a nationwide monitoring of revenue collection and activities of miners at the state and local government council levels .
Barr. Abdullahi, who was represented by AlhajiTanimuAdamuAliyu, a director in the commission, also advised the state government to immediately establish a committee that would work in synergy for the rapid development of mining sector.
He said, he noted during recent tours, the huge and untapped mineral resources in the state that include gold, asphalt and quarry in various areas that generate revenue and employment opportunities to the state.
According to him, the committee was established with the mandate of identifying challenges, proper solutions and way forward in the mining sector in the state.