Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi
In an effort to improve revenue generation in the state, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has inaugurated the Board of Directors of the Bauchi Mining, Synergy & Exploration Ltd (BAMSET).
The governor, while seaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Government House, Bauchi, explained that his administration decided to revive the company to drive the state’s economy as an alternative source of revenue.
He assured the appointees that his administration would give them the necessary support to function and succeed in the assignment even as he urged the directors to use their wealth of experience and professionalism in achieving the aims and objectives of the company.
He said: “BAMSET is a state special purpose vehicle for business in mining resources and mining but it is sad to note that since its establishment in 2019, the company has not achieved any meaningful progress.
“This is due to the neglect and lack of necessary political will despite its potential to turn around the fortunes of the state in that direction.
“As a government we believe that by putting the company to full operations in the present situation where the state lags behind in both public and private participation in the mineral sector will be reversed.”
Mohammed called on the business community in the state, local, international and corporate organisations to invest in the mining sector in Bauchi state.
“Together, we can build a viral and economically strong state and solve the menace of youth unemployment and restiveness.
“I want to assure all key stakeholders in the solid mineral sector of the position of the government, commitment and support in developing our mineral deposits potentials for the upliftment of the lives of the common citizens,” he said
The governor emphasised that the choice of the appointees was based on their practical knowledge of mining, the love and passion for which they are well known for and government’s beliefs that all hands must be on deck to fashion a new path for the development of Bauchi State.
He urged the Chairman and members of the board to put in their best to help put the solid mineral sector on a sound footing by carrying out their assignment diligently.
In his response, the Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Mahmud Lawal, thanked the governor for finding them worthy as part of his revival plan.
He said: “From what I hear you say, the board is saddled with not just the responsibility of managing the affairs of the company but also working towards a shift in the revenue generation of the state and by extension working towards improving the living standard of the common citizen in the state.
“We take it as a challenge and promise to do our best on revenue generation. We believe that Bauchi state is not poor but unfortunate state. I therefore solicit for the cooperation of miners, mining communities to join us in structuring to get us out of the present situation.”