30 October 2013, Gusau – The Zamfara House of Assembly on Tuesday said that it would enact a law to regulate mining activities in the state.
Assemblyman Yusuf Sabo, the Secretary of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said this at a stakeholders meeting on lead poisoning issues in Gusau, organised by Global Rights, a non-governmental organisation.
He conveyed the lawmakers’ concern over the rampant cases of deaths caused by illegal mining in the state.
Sabo said that the House had directed its committee on environment to liaise with other stakeholders on the matter so as to get relevant information for drafting the proposed law.
He expressed the readiness of the legislature to partner with any organisation in efforts to draft the bill.
“As legislators, we have to protect the lives of the people we are representing.
“Although it is the duty of the Federal Government to regulate mining, but as legislators in the state, we can formulate a law that would guide mining operations,” he added.
Sabo, however, commended the Federal Government and the Zamfara Government for carrying out environmental remediation in areas of the state that were affected by lead poison.
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