By Najib Sani
In a strategic effort to formalise mining operations and curb illegal activities in the sector, the Bauchi State Ministry of Natural Resources Development, in collaboration with Bladira Global Consulting Firm Ltd, has organised a sensitisation training for enumerators on data acquisition and formalisation of mining activities across the state.
The event, which brought together key stakeholders in the mining industry, aimed to equip enumerators with the knowledge and skills required to collect accurate data, promote legal mining operations, and encourage responsible practices among miners.
Declaring the training open, the commissioner for natural resources development, Muhammad Maiwada Bello, stressed the importance of formalising mining activities in Bauchi State.
“The rationale behind this training is to equip participants with the ideas and tools to combat illegal mining and promote legal mining operations in the state,” he said.
He explained that several programmes had been developed to support the formalisation process, aimed at increasing youth employment and boosting the state’s revenue.
“A lot of programmes were designed to encourage legal mining in the state, in an effort to create job opportunities and revenue for the overall development of Bauchi State,” he added.
He called on traditional rulers not to be issuing unauthorised consent letters, and not to grant consent letters to prospective miners without first obtaining official clearance from the state Ministry of Natural Resources.
He emphasised that such unauthorised endorsements undermine the government’s efforts to regulate the sector and could lead to the proliferation of illegal mining activities.
According to him, the training is expected to positively transform the mining sector by enhancing transparency, accountability, and the overall formalisation process, which are vital for the long-term development of the state.
“This training will help to promote transparency and accountability in the mining sector, which is essential for the growth and prosperity of Bauchi State,” he noted.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Muhammad Maijama’a Dewu, commended the commissioner for the initiative and encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity.
He urged them to leverage the training to deepen their understanding and contribute meaningfully to mining reforms in the state.
The sensitization training was attended by stakeholders, including FMO & MEC OFFICER Bauchi State, representatives from the Bauchi State Association of Miners, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and leadership of meremco.
They all applauded the initiative and reaffirmed their readiness to work with the Bauchi State government in promoting formalisation and adherence to best practices in the mining sector.
