FG directs CBN to buy gold from Zamfara miners

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The Federal Government has directed Central Bank of Nigeria to henceforth buy golds and other related mined products directly from the miners in Zamfara State with a view to sanitize and safeguard the business off the Illegalities in order to boost the nation’s economy.
This was disclosed by the Assistant Chief Geologist under the Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade Department (IPMT) of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs Abutu Nwakego who led a team of mining officers to sensitize associations of Gold Buyers and Sellers in Zamfara State yesterday.
Mrs Nwakego explained that, the essence of the visit and organizing the meeting which held at Gusau the State capital, was to enforce the federal government Gold Mining Initiative and to sensitize mining associations on the importance of avoiding use of illegal means of occupying and managing the abundant mining sites across the state.
“The aim of the federal government by introducing Gold Mining Initiative (GMI) was to utilize the abundant mineral resources across the nation to align it’s dependence on oil to gold and other mined valuables with a view to acquire stabilized economy”, Nwakego explained.
Also speaking, the Federal Mines Officer in Zamfara State, Mr. Abunumah Samuel, advised the miners to embark on preparations towards making their business transactions through ways introduced by the federal government which include issuance and renewal of licences.
“To make your business more safe, comfortable and lucrative, the federal government has directed CBN to serve as offs taker of golds and all other related mined products, hence the need to commence channeling your mined products through our Federal Mines Office.
“Our office is saddled with responsibilities to canvass for large and small scale buyers and sellers of legally mined products from within and outside Nigeria for all gold buyers and sellers associations in Zamfara State, our services will remain for your legal engagements into gold trades”, Samuel has assured.
Speaking on behalf of the targeted associations, the state Chairman of Gold Buyers and Sellers association, Alhaji Adamu Maizinare, cried that, the State Government used to dispersed their members from legally occupied mining sites without proper investigation on whether it was legal or otherwise.