Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has said that gold mining activities and sales in the State will be properly articulated to capitalize on its huge potential revenue generation for the State.

Governor Bago stated 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, Minna.

The multi-billion naira project is sponsored by Al-istiqama Integrated Services Ltd in collaboration with the Niger State Government.

The Governor disclosed that the daily turnover for sales of Gold in the Market is on the average of N1.2 billion and that the Government does not benefit from the huge sales hence the need to articulate the sales by re-organising the Gold Market.

Governor Umaru Bago said the decision to engage in this is to register and take inventories of gold sellers to enable the Government to identify legitimate dealers.

He also disclosed that the creation of the market will help in addressing illegal Gold mining in the State adding that similar markets will subsequently be constructed in Bida, Kontagora, Suleja, and Borgu while Kuta and Kagara will also follow suit.

Earlier, the Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area, Aminu Ladan said the project when completed will boost economic activities in the state and that it will also pave the way for new businesses to grow in the Kure Ultra Modern Market.

He disclosed that over 150 youth have already been engaged in the project.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman, of Al-istiqama Integrated Services Ltd, Ibrahim Shaibu Dankaka and the Managing Director, Nasiru Sa’id Nasidi said the project is initiated to key into the “New Niger” agenda of Governor Umaru Bago.

The company is expected to construct 2 blocks of shops in the international gold market for gold sellers, a bank, and a restaurant adding that youths are already engaged in the project.

Bologi Ibrahim

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State

26/10/2023.