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President Goodluck
Jonathan yesterday announced the immediate lifting of the temporary ban
on mining of solid minerals in Zamfara State.

Speaking at a PDP
campaign rally in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the President said
following consultations with the state governor, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi,
the ban which was imposed following the lead poisoning in the state,
was no longer necessary.

Mr Jonathan who
indicated the interest of the government in investing more in solid
minerals development, noted that in the next four years, more jobs will
be created for youth in that sector.

“We will do more
to stabilise power here and encourage farming,” he said, noting that
Zamfara State has the potential of producing rice not only for local
consumption but also for export.

President’s plans for Zamfara

The President, who
promised that the state would have a federal university next year, also
assured of his administration’s commitment to fighting desert
encroachment and complete eradication of wild polio.

Mr Shinkafi while
thanking the President for the support in the provision of
socio-economic and physical infrastructure especially roads, assured
him of the total support of the 1.8 million registered voters in the
state during the presidential election on April 9.

During a courtesy
call on the Emir of Gusau, Mr Jonathan restated his commitment to the
peace and unity of the country. The President who holds two traditional
titles from Zamfara State, reiterated his plan to make a difference in
the next four years if given the opportunity by “building on the good
foundation laid by our founding fathers and to commemorate 100 years of
the amalgamation of Nigeria by 2014.” The Emir of Gusau, Muhammad Kabir
Danada, thanked President Jonathan for the promise of a federal
university for the state, he also prayed for his success at the
presidential election.