From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has celebrated the successful cultivation of farmland reclaimed from BUA Cement’s former mining site, marking what officials described as a major milestone in environmental recovery and community empowerment.
The event, held on Wednesday, was organized by the Sokoto Agriculture and Rural Development Project (SADP) in partnership with BUA Cement Plc, as part of efforts to boost food production and promote sustainable livelihoods across the state.
This was contained in a statement by the Sokoto Agriculture and Rural Development Project (SADP), which said the reclaimed brownfield land has now been converted into productive farmland, yielding crops such as maize, millet, guinea corn, groundnuts, beans, and soya beans.
SADP Project Manager, Malam Abubakar Dan-Maliki, said the success of the initiative reflected Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s commitment to restoring citizens’ confidence and advancing food security through practical agricultural interventions.
“The project is not just about reclaiming land but about restoring hope and livelihoods. What used to be an abandoned mining site has now become a source of food and income for many families,” Dan-Maliki said.
He commended BUA Cement for funding the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with the company to continue supporting host communities.
Rabiu Maska, who represented BUA Cement at the event, described the brownfield cultivation as a “significant milestone” in the company’s post-mining land restoration programme.
He said, “We are proud to see that land once used for industrial activity has now been transformed into fertile farmland. This aligns with BUA Cement’s commitment to environmental sustainability and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the company will also continue to support community empowerment programmes, especially those targeted at women and youths, to complement the agricultural initiatives.
The Vice Chairman of Wamakko Local Government Area, Alhaji Abu Gosha, praised both the state government and BUA Cement for their collaborative efforts and called for the sustenance of the initiative.
He added that such partnerships demonstrate how corporate social responsibility and government intervention can jointly improve community welfare and economic resilience.
Residents of the surrounding communities also expressed optimism that the initiative would reduce unemployment, enhance food supply, and create long-term opportunities for local farmers.
