The Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges have continue to slow down and scare investors from exploiting solid minerals in Yobe. The alarms were raised Thursday in Damaturu by the Commissioner of Land and Solid Minerals, Mohammed Lamin at the ministerial briefing to mark second anniversary of Mai Mala Buni administration. The ministerial briefing tagged: “Promoting Accountability and Good Governance,” was to showcase the scorecards of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the last two years of Buni administration. According to him, miners and investors are already scared to exploit the abundant solid minerals in Gujba and Gulani Local Government Areas (LGA). While lamenting insecurity to lives and property, he said: “The state has substantial amount of solid minerals, but the miners and investors cannot go to Gujba and Gulani to exploit them for export.” He said that the solid minerals comprise soda ash, limestone and gypsum in Yusufari LGA. He noted that’s as relative peace being restored by the State Government, they could resume their minerals exploitation activities. He said that Ashaka Cement Company in Gombe state, has exhausted the mining of limestone for the production of cement. On challenges of security in the mining sector, he said: “Ashaka wanted to come to Yobe state, but because of the insecurity situation, it halted the mining of limestone.” He assured the investors and miners that as soon as security situation improves the mining of solid minerals will resume. Continuing, he added; “We also have other investors that are willing to establish a cement company but they are scared of the situation. “Soda ash is a very important component for industrial use, we will continue to pray for peace so that things will improve and benefit our people.” He therefore warned residents against land encroachment and the erection of illegal structures that violate the plans of layouts.
