By Mohammed Baba Busu
Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger says gold mining activities and sales in the state will be properly harnessed and exploited because of its huge potential revenue generation for the state.
Bago said this at the groundbreaking of a gold market, code-named “Mohammed Umaru Bago International Gold Market”, sited within the Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure Ultra-Modern Market in Minna, on Thursday.
The multi-billion Naira project is sponsored by Al-istiqama Integrated Services Ltd in collaboration with the Niger Government.
The governor disclosed that the daily turnover for sales of gold in the market was estimated at N1.2 billion and that the government does not benefit from the huge sales, hence the need to articulate the sales by re-organizing the Gold Market.
The governor explained that the decision to engage in this is to register and take inventory of gold sellers to enable the government to identify legitimate dealers.
He also disclosed that the creation of the market would help in addressing illegal gold mining in the state.
Bago added that similar markets would subsequently be constructed in Bida, Kontagora, Suleja, and Borgu, while Kuta and Kagara would follow suit.
Earlier, the Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area, Mr Aminu Ladan, said the project would boost economic activities in the state upon completion, adding that it will also pave the way for new businesses to grow in the Kure Ultra-Modern Market.
He disclosed that over 150 youths have already been engaged in the project.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Al-istiqama Integrated Services Ltd, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankaka, and the Managing Director, Malam Nasiru Nasidi, said the project was initiated to key into the “New Niger” agenda of Bago.
The company is expected to construct two blocks of shops in the international gold market for gold sellers, a bank, and a restaurant. (NAN)
