Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State, has lamented that the state does not currently make any money from its substantial solid mineral deposits.
He expressed optimism that once investments in solid minerals begin to pay off, Zamfara won’t have to rely on funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to pay its bills.
He also pointed out that the Federal Government’s decision to relax the prohibition on solid minerals had allowed him to meet with potential investors who may support the growth of the industry and increase state revenue.
Governor Lawal, while appearing for an interview, said he was excited that the Federal Government had lifted the ban on solid minerals, adding that if recent events were followed closely, just last month we had a meeting with some private sector who have investments in Zamfara State.
He continued, “That is exactly what we are doing now to try to bring the private sector to invest in the solid minerals aspect in collaboration with the state government as well as the Federal Government, and if that works out well, it means additional revenue for Zamfara State as well as the Federal Government.
“But as we speak now, there is no single revenue as far as solid minerals are concerned that is coming to Zamfara State, which is unfortunate.”
“And part of what I am doing now under my administration is to really look at this holistically and begin to put all the mechanisms in place and bring investors in Zamfara State that will be able to invest in solid minerals.
“By the time we do that, I don’t think we will be relying on FAAC anymore; we will be more than comfortable so as to develop Zamfara State and move the state forward,” he said.
In the last two years, Zamfara’s security has improved, according to Governor Lawal, despite the state being one of many in northern Nigeria that has struggled with instability for years.
He claimed that in order to fight banditry in the state, he formed Community Protection Guards in each Local Government Area as soon as he took office. These guards have been collaborating with traditional security organisations.
The governor reaffirmed that he would not engage in negotiations with the rebels, although he did say that anyone who is prepared to fully surrender is welcome to do so.
