From Maiharaji Altine Gusau
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state has said that the state Government has so far, saved 31 kilograms of refined Gold for the state Government.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Zailani Baffa said Governor Matawalle has already gotten an offer of N5 billion from some interested partners who wanted to be supplied with gold bars over a period of time.
The Governor said the move was meant to boost the financial base of the state. “the Gold was wholly mined and refined by our local miners”.
It is a measure we are taking to ensure that the mineral resources in Zamfara benefit the people”.
Governor Matawalle said his Government would continue to save gold for the state in designated banks to ensure that the state gets the respect it deserves by having the security needed for any business transaction.
He said the gold was purchased by the state Government and the idea was also meant to boost the trade in the state instead of what is obtainable today.
“The situation today is that a few people mine the gold, take it abroad and trade it out there without a single benefit for the people in the state. This is what we want to change”, the Governor said.
It will be recalled that Governor Bello Mohammed earlier showed some of the gold to the President where the President said it was the first time anyone physically showed him the Zamfara Gold.
