Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has signed an executive order prohibiting traditional rulers from issuing consent letters for mining across the state.
The order was signed on Thursday at the Council Chambers, Government House, Gusau.
A statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, disclosed that the executive order was signed to stop one of the worst trends in the fight against banditry.
According to him, the ban includes consent letters to individuals, companies or organisations for mining activities.
While signing the order, Mr Lawal reiterated that the decision was made due to the severe dangers posed by the rampant issuance of the consent letters.
He said: “Today, in my administration’s resolve to tackle insecurity, I signed an executive order prohibiting traditional rulers from issuing consent letters for mining across the 14 local government areas of Zamfara.
“As the Attorney General rightly stated, the mining activities in Zamfara have been identified as a significant factor contributing to the worsening security situation of the state, especially the menace of banditry.
“As a responsible government, it is crucial that we take decisive action to resolve the issue of illegal mining operations that have been contributing to the crisis. That’s why I have signed the executive order. We are taking all necessary steps to rectify the problems bedevilling the issuance of consent letters, which have been recklessly abused.
“We beseech Almighty Allah to guide us as we serve and safeguard the lives and property of the people,” Mr Lawal said.
Meanwhile, the governor has said his administration will not tolerate any form of corruption or indolence from members of his cabinet or civil servants in Zamfara State.
Mr Lawal disclosed this during an extraordinary council meeting at the council chambers of Government House, Gusau, on Thursday.
He urged all senior appointees, commissioners, and special advisers to understand his mission and make necessary adjustments.
“To our Commissioners, Heads of Agencies, and Departments, you are Chief Executive Officers in your respective MDAs. You are not sole administrators. You are appointed to provide leadership and direction, not to award contracts or share resources to develop our people and communities.
“You are not contractors and suppliers; you are servants of the people. You must remove from your individual and collective psyche the idea that you are appointed to do anything else other than to serve and improve the lots of the people by providing necessary facilities and infrastructure that will support their lives and activities and not to 8 take money from the public till to give to them.
“We must make the difference required to move the state forward; we must do things differently.
“We were not elected by the people of this state to merely replace the faces and characters of those before us. We were elected to change how government business was done, the way that kept us trailing at the tail end of all development indices”, he warned.
The governor further reiterated to the cabinet that he is not in government to make money.
“In that regard, I say this to you all here today: I will not tolerate any act of corruption and indolence from any appointee or civil servant. I have repeatedly said that I am not here to make money, and anyone who harbours a dream of self-enrichment should better either change your mind or honourably resign from the government.
