By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The new Executive Chairman of Hawul local government area of Borno state, Hon. Yusuf Mamman Msheliza has issued a strong directives to immediatetly halt the ongoing illegal mining of gold minerals popularly known in Hausa language as ‘Taunar Zinari’ found in Kwajaffa, Tashan Alade, Dzur and Manjakwa general communities.

He also issued another directive for stoppage of sales of alcohol beverages and brothel businesses in all unlicenced or unregistered centres.

The Chairman lamented that such unwholesome development that remained unchecked have initiated many pupils, students and youths absconding from their school hours or lessons, deepened or rather added serious breeding of insecurity, which is not tolerated under his leadership.

Hon. Msheliza stated this to our Correspondent in an interview on Friday while clarifying his position over the recent raids on some illegal miners and alcohol sellers at various communities in Hawul.

Recalled that upon assumption into office in January this year, the Executive Chairman realized that most of the bear parlors and other get-together joints were not officially registered or authorized by appropriate authorities, hence these acts guaranteed alot of questionable characters engaged into the business with repercussionary il-health, deaths amongst youths, in addition to community disturbances especially those operating brothels.

More so, the Chairman reiterated that the illegal mining of minerals (Zinari) in some communties of the Council have forced over 500 school children absconding from attending lessons or now school dropout, especially in Kwajaffa District.

He cautioned that, Hawul should not be a dumping site for illegal meeting points or businesses under his watchful eyes.

He also warned some well-to- do individuals to desist from engages in Bada Kaka (giving money as loan or credit, while the collector must pay almost double amount after some few time), which he noted will never be accepted, because such habit have caused alot of conflicts and disagreement between parties in various communities.

His words:” When I assumed the mantle of leadership, I realized that it is good to take necessary actions to ensure sanity in Hawul. Therefore, upon resumption, I quickly held a meeting with security agencies, traditional/religious leaders and stakeholders.

“Part of our resolutions is to immediatetly halt the ongoing illegal mining of minerals popularly known in local language as Zinari mostly found in Kwajaffa, Tashan Alade, Dzur, Manjakwa and other general communities.

“I also directed the stoppage of sales of alcoholic beverages, bars and brothels that are not officially registered or licensed. Infact we have directed that anyone found wanting must be arrested and prosecuted according to the existing Laws of the Borno State Government.

“It is very unfortunate that such unwholesome development that hitherto remained unchecked have initiated many pupils and students absconding from their school hours, deepened or rather added serious breeding of insecurity, which is unacceptable under my leadership.

“More disheartening is that the illegal mining of minerals (Zinari) in some communties across the Council have forced over 500 school children absconding from schools or not attending lessons, especially in Kwajaffa District.

“Likewise, we observed that some well-to- do individuals engages in Bada Kaka (giving money as loan or credit, while the collector must pay almost double amount after some few time), which will never be accepted, because such habit have caused alot of conflicts and disagreement between parties in various communities”. The Chairman explained.

Reacting over the development, the Chairman of Alcolic beverages in Hawul, Mr. Philemon Amos said, the initiative is a welcome development, as he is working round the clock with his team to key in, so as to sanitize the system.

He said, “We are ready to support the present administration in ensuring that legal and duly registered members engage and continue the business.

” Already, we have started compiling genuine list of our members to ensure anyone who engage into the business is captured in our data base, officially registered and authorized by Government for proper monitoring and evaluation of the process for peaceful coexistence.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend the Chairman for the good anticipated initiative, because, that is what we have been clamoring for since”. He said. End