A civil society group, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, has called for the public disclosure of records relating to the Zamfara State Gold Reserve Initiative introduced during the administration of former Governor Bello Matawalle.
The demand was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the group’s Convener, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The group specifically urged the Zamfara State Government to make available documents relating to the initiative, including handover notes and transition committee reports, to provide clarity on the status of assets reportedly acquired under the programme.
Shinkafi recalled that in October 2020, Matawalle presented gold and precious stones to former President Muhammadu Buhari and publicly described the development as part of a state-backed gold reserve initiative aimed at strengthening Zamfara State’s economic base.
According to him, there is a need for greater public information regarding the implementation and current status of the initiative.
“We believe that making relevant records available to the public will help promote transparency and strengthen public confidence in governance,” Shinkafi said.
He added that the group was interested in understanding the scope of the programme, including the quantity of gold acquired under the initiative, the value of the assets, and whether details of such assets were reflected in official transition documents at the end of the previous administration.
The statement also called for information on the institutional framework that guided the implementation of the programme, including arrangements for storage, documentation and management of any assets acquired.
Shinkafi further urged the state government to publish portions of the handover notes and transition committee report relating to the initiative.
According to him, “The objective is not to apportion blame but to encourage openness and accountability in the management of public assets and resources.”
The group also referenced the federal government’s restrictions on mining activities in Zamfara State during the period of heightened insecurity and called for clarification on how the initiative operated within the prevailing regulatory framework at the time.
It stressed that providing relevant information would help address public concerns and enrich understanding of the programme’s impact on the state’s economy.
Shinkafi in the statement, said the organisation would consider approaching relevant government agencies for further clarification if the requested records were not made available within 14 days.
He maintained that public accountability remained a cornerstone of democratic governance, adding that citizens and civil society organisations had a responsibility to seek information on matters affecting public resources.
“Transparency in public administration strengthens trust between government and citizens and ultimately contributes to good governance,” he stated.
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