The Kano State House of Assembly Committee on Mineral Resources has pledged legislative support to strengthen the state’s mining sector and boost revenue generation through effective oversight and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Usman Abubakar Tasi’u, who is also the Minority Leader and member representing Kiru Constituency, made the pledge on Monday during an oversight visit to the Kano State Ministry of Mineral Resources.
Speaking during an interactive session with the ministry’s management, Hon. Tasi’u said the visit was aimed at assessing the ministry’s performance, reviewing its achievements, identifying operational challenges and exploring measures to enhance the sector’s contribution to the economic development of Kano State.
He said the committee was committed to fostering a cordial working relationship with the ministry to facilitate the enactment of laws and policies that would promote sustainable mineral resource development for the benefit of government, investors, artisanal miners and host communities.
The lawmaker stressed the importance of strengthening regulatory mechanisms, particularly in the implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDA), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), occupational safety standards and other best practices that promote responsible and sustainable mining.
Responding, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Alhaji Hamza Safiyanu Kachako, thanked the committee for the visit, describing it as a clear demonstration of the Assembly’s commitment to the growth and transformation of the mining sector.
He disclosed that the ministry had recorded significant achievements, including securing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s approval for the adoption of the Kano State Mining Policy for Sustainable Mineral Resources Development, establishing a mining task force comprising security agencies and other stakeholders, formalising the registration of miners and mineral buyers, and developing a framework for the assessment and collection of surface rents, compensation, taxes and other statutory levies in accordance with existing laws and the national mineral revenue derivation framework.
Kachako assured the lawmakers of the ministry’s full cooperation in the discharge of their oversight responsibilities.
Also speaking, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Sha’ayau A. Jibrin, reaffirmed the commitment and loyalty of the ministry’s management and staff to the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, pledging continued dedication to the implementation of policies aimed at harnessing Kano State’s vast mineral resources for sustainable economic growth.
Other lawmakers who spoke during the meeting included Hon. Tukur Muhammad (Fagge), Hon. Abubakar Danladi Kademi (Gaya) and Hon. Salisu Ibrahim Muhammad (Doguwa). Directors of the Ministry of Mineral Resources also attended the interactive session.
Adamu Ibrahim Dabo, Anipr, MNGE,
Director Public Enlightenment
