Governor Dauda Lawal has said Zamfara State was working to correct the negative perception of the state arising from the introduction of Sharia Law by former Governor Ahmed Yerima through repositioning it as a prime investment destination for vast critical mineral resources.

Addressing newsmen, Lawal said that though Yerima had his reasons for introducing Sharia, his engagement process was flawed as there was no adequate awareness.

He reiterated that he would not support negotiations with kidnappers abducting residents and wreaking havoc in the state, adding that paying ransom to criminals empowers them, while previous negotiations did not yield any positive results.

The governor described Zamfara as a state of good, loving people with freedom of religion, noting that there are areas dominated by people from the South-West and South-East, as well as other minority groups.

Moreover, he argued that Zamfara should not be defined by insecurity but by its comparative advantages, including as the number one in critical minerals in the country, going by proven data, and “that is why investors are rushing into the state with their money.”

He added that his administration was providing infrastructure and making the environment conducive for investment.

On mining, he revealed that about $1 million worth of informal gold mining transactions take place daily in the state, with the government incorporating artisanal miners through technology and carrying the people along.

Among others, Lawal said Zamfara is naturally blessed with abundant sunshine, which the state is harnessing, with every school and ministry built or rebuilt in the state now solar-powered, thereby reducing electricity and diesel costs from N150 million monthly to about N35 million monthly through renewable energy.