In its efforts to maintain peace and harmony in the state, Bauchi State Ministry of Natural Resources in collaboration with relevant bodies in the mining sector have sealed the abandoned mining site in Gwana District of Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.
The decision was intended to restore order by mitigating all the illegal activities taking place in the mining site. It was also geared towards protecting the interest of all the parties involved, including the company “Imperial Joint Venture Company” (IJV) that was granted approval to embark on the activities in the area, host communities as well as an Indian firm named Cosmic Metal which sought to takeover the abandoned site after IJV vacated as a result of the recent advent of Covid-19 pandemic.
This was contained in a press statement made available to journalists in Bauchi, signed by the Information Officer of Bauchi State Ministry of Natural Resources. He noted that the commissioner Muhammed Maidawa Bello after meeting with the stakeholders, constituted a five-man committee that includes, the Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman of the LGA, representative of the Federal Mine office Bauchi, the state Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and village Head of Gwana to investigate the matter within two weeks and provide adequate security around the area.
The statement further states that when the Indian company moved to take over operations in the site, there was a strong resistance from the host communities who claimed that there are pending agreements between them and the former mining firm.
These among other controversial issues related to the mining site required urgent intervention to forestall order and guarantee adequate security to all the parties involved.
The statement added that Bauchi State Government and the Ministry of Natural Resources remain committed to fostering harmony through active and effective collaboration with critical stakeholders towards ensuring a sustainable peace.
