*Photo: Alhaji Safiyanu Hamza Kachako, Kano State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources (2nd right)*
Farmers across Kano State have been told to desist from selling Farmlands to Foreigners and other individuals with questionable identities.
Mallam Adamu Ibrahim Dabo, Director Public Enlightenment,Ministry of Solid Mineral and Natural Resources,Kano State, said in a press release on Monday that “The appeal follows some reliable reports gathered by the ministry on such trends in some local government areas of the state with particular reference to Shanono Local Government Area.”
Malam Dabo said Commissioner Safiyanu Hamza Kachako at an emergency stakeholders meeting Monday, in the office of the local government council, Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Barau, pointed out that an action plan designed by the Ministry would soon take effect across the state to ensure only formal mining activities prevail.
According to Alhaji Kachako, such plans include the operational commencement of a Task Force to ensure overall sanity in the sector.
He however urged the Council Chairman to provide laws against selling farmlands to foreigners or unknown persons and cooperate fully with the ministry in that direction as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is committed to uplifting the sector for economic growth of the state.
The Council Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Barau who disclosed that plans are underway by the Council to invest in mining within the area also warned the farmers against the attitude and pledged to check the menace in accordance with the local government mandate. He urged the District Head of the area Alhaji Ibrahim Sani Gaya to extend the message to the grassroots.
The District Head thanked the Commissioner for convening the emergency community stakeholders meeting and pledged to cooperate accordingly.
Representative of the Divisional Police Officer and that of Civil Defence Corps, Vigilante group and Community development leaders expressed some vital suggestions towards achieving success.
Meanwhile, on the way to Shanono Local Government Area, Alhaji Kachako paid an impromptu visit to Monkey Rock Quarry in Rimin Gado LGA and directed the Manager to urgently report to the ministry for some briefings.
The Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Engineer Mansur Yakubu, all Directors and some senior officers of the ministry.
