The Nigerian Union of Mines Workers (NUMW) has described as “misleading and unwarranted,” the call made by the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) urging the federal government to ban mining activities in the states of Northern Nigeria,
President of the Union, Hamza Muhammad who spoke in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Friday, said the call is a showcase of the leadership deficit at the level of states in the north, and urged the Nigerian Governors Forum to ensure that respective governors deploy the power and authority at their disposal to curb insecurity in their respective states.
“Governors of states in northern Nigeria should summon political will needed to tackle insecurity in their jurisdictions,” Hanza said, adding that the economic cost of banning mining activities is enormous and capable of worsening the current level of insecurity in the north and country as a whole.
He said the state governors, particularly those of the states of Northern Nigeria, must be able to deploy the political will and resources needed to address insecurity in their respective states.
“Governors should establish more cooperation and collaboration and must do the needful as a team to curb insecurity,” he added.
“We commemd the federal government for establishing the Mining Marshals. It is clear that the Marshals are doing their best to curb illegal mining.”
“So, what the Northern Governors Forum should do is to unite and support the federal government in the fight against insecurity and illegal mining.”
“The identity of bandits is known. Governors should work together to apprehend bandits after all, bandits can be traced to their families, and they hail from across the states in the country.”
According to Hanza, it is important that state governors consider addressing the challenges that gave rise to insecurity in theirrespective states: “Education is key; State Governments in northern Nigeria should establish schools for the the needy and ensure that they are properly educated.
He said that in addition, the state governments should provide a safe and responsible platform for hearders across the country.
He lamented the backwardness of Northern Nigeria in the area of education and technology, saying that the South and West are far ahead.
While saying that Northern Nigeria has the resources and manpower required to develop the region, he expressed concern that “northern governors are not doing the needful,” a factor he said is responsible for the challenge.
“The Northern Governors have failed in their obligations, and they have no moral right to blame the situation on the Federal Government or on mining activities,” he said.
“The issue is not about solid minerals, but about leadership failure in the States at the level of governors.”
He pointed out that the banning of mining in Plateau and Taraba States by the governors of the States was without permission from the federal government and noted that investors have been at loss.”
Discussing some of the economic implications, Hanza said: “Various businesses will stop operating, large numbers of people will lose their jobs, hunger will increase and insecurity will be on the rise.”
Governors must understand the possible outcomes of banning mining activities in their respective states, she said and warned that it will be counterproductive and possibly heighten insecurity.
He advised the governors of states in Northern Nigeria to concentrate on real issues such as reviving the industries in the north and creating jobs and wealth for the people.
“Northern Governors must think of how to provide steady power supply needed to drive the industries in the north,” he said, adding that the notion that mining should be banned is ill and unfortunate.
“As a trade union, the NUMW calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore the call of the Governors Forum,” he said, adding that the Northern Governors must not forget that they will give account of their stewardship to God in the end
