The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Jigawa government to exercise caution and adopt proactive security measures to guide mining activities in the state.
This is contained in a statement by Nuraddeen Jidawa, ADC deputy state chairman, on Thursday in Dutse.
The development is a sequel to the inauguration of the Jigawa State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).
The Jigawa government set up the committee to promote solid mineral development, formalise mining operations, boost revenue generation and strengthen environmental management.
However, Mr Jidawa said that a comprehensive security assessment was imperative to guard against exposing mineral-bearing communities to the risks of unregulated mining activities.
Mr Jidawa said that reports indicating the infiltration of aliens into some troubled areas of the country made it necessary for the Jigawa government to adopt a security-first approach to mineral development.
He warned that inadequate mining regulations could provide opportunities for bandits, illegal miners, criminal financiers, arms traffickers and smugglers to establish footholds in the state.
“Jigawa cannot afford to create another avenue through which criminal networks, illegal miners or other security threats could gain access to our communities,” he said.
The ADC official noted that unregulated mining activities in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna had attracted criminal elements to those states.
Mr Jidawa highlighted that Jigawa’s relative peace remained a strategic asset that should be protected through preventive security measures.
He, therefore, called for comprehensive security mapping and assessment of all proposed mining sites and surrounding communities before expanding mining activities.
Mr Jidawa also called for the suspension of new mining activities until security conditions across the country improve and adequate measures are established in the state.
“The ADC supports job creation, economic diversification and responsible exploitation of mineral resources, but security must remain a priority.
“The party cautioned that the government must avoid creating a new security frontier in a state that has comparatively enjoyed lasting peace.
“The peace of Jigawa must never be sacrificed for mineral revenue,” he said.
(NAN)
