The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has expressed optimism that the Federal Government’s decision to lift the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State will attract investors and stimulate the state’s socio-economic growth.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Matawalle highlighted that the previous ban on mining, implemented during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration due to insecurity, had caused significant losses in the state’s solid minerals sector.
He described Zamfara as a hub of mineral resources, noting that the lifting of the ban has already sparked interest from foreign investors, particularly in the exploration of lithium.
“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.
According to him, the lifting would help in attracting investors to Zamfara within and outside the country.
Matawalle also stated that President Bola Tinubu has given directives that any potential investors who are ready to invest in the mining sector will process the Minerals in the state to create job opportunities and boost socio-economic development.
He said President 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,” Matawalle added.
The immediate past Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving his request to lift the ban on mining activities in the state, citing the positive impact it will have on the lives of the people.
Matawalle called on the residents of Zamfara to show their appreciation by providing full support and cooperation to President Tinubu’s administration.
Lakurawa ‘Dealt With’
On the Lakurawa terrorist group, the minister maintained that the measures taken in dealing with the situation are yielding positive results and there was no report of them in the last two weeks.
He dispelled the rumour that the Lakurawa group is in Zamfara State.
“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 armory, 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,” Matawalle said.
He assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the activities of bandits and other terrorist groups in the North-West and across the country by 2025.