The Special Adviser to Governor Bello Matawalle on Media, Alhaji Zailani Baffa, has denied claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria is trading in gold with Zamfara State Government .
Baffa was responding to a lawyer , Mr Joseph Onu Silas , who had reportedly said the Central Bank of Nigeria was trading in gold with the state government .
But in a statement refuting the claims , Baffa said , “ The attention of the Zamfara State Government has been drawn to a shocking and disappointing reaction in the media where a known lawyer displayed ignorance of law regarding the recent revelation made by Governor Bello Mohammed ( Matawallen Maradun ) over mining in the state.
“ The lawyer , Mr Joseph Onu Silas, has accused the Central Bank of Nigeria of violating its constitutional boundaries to trade in gold with the Zamfara State Government . He further accused the state government of claiming to own the gold deposits in the state. ”
However, Baffa said the CBN did not enter into any trade agreement with the state government as claimed by the lawyer .
He said , “ The fact is that the CBN, just like in agriculture, is willing to invest in mining , as part of its Anchor Borrowers ’ Programme whereby the apex bank will invest an amount for the state government to supply it with the gold as proceeds of the investment.
“ This is aimed at boosting the mining sector in the country which is within the provisions of the scheme . ”
Baffa further explained that “ the state government is not directly mining the gold by itself ” .
He added , “ It will rather purchase the gold from the mining companies registered by the Federal Government in the state.
“ All Nigerians are aware that the Federal Government is in the process of re- registering qualified companies allowed to mine mineral resources in the state on its behalf , just as obtains in the oil sector, which Mr Silas mentioned. ”
