In the aftermath of the tragic mine collapse in Niger state where people remain trapped, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stressed the need to adopt new policies in the mining sector to guarantee the safety of mining personnel and security of investments in the country.
Tinubu had made this statement through the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, who chaired a delegation on a condolence visit to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago over the recent collapse of a mining site in Shiroro LGA of the State.
Tinubu had explained that mining companies had to comply with the new policies including having a solid plan for local value-addition, remediation plan and insurance policy for mine workers before their licence would be endorsed by the Ministry.
The president had also extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the affected community at large, and the Niger State government, promising them that no effort would be spared to ensure that those still trapped were safely rescued.
In response, Bago thanked the Federal Government for the new policies aimed at preventing future tragedies and also offered some suggestions for effective outcome.
The suggestions included;
For all licensed miners in the state to be grouped into cooperatives; Mining companies with licences to form close relationships with relevant stakeholders from the level of host communities, local government, emirate, and the State Government, about their activities; To promote and adopt the use of technology in mining activities and ditch the use of explosives to prevent environmental hazards. Finally, Bago suggested the need for Environmental Impact Assessments before the commencement of mining activities.
He also appreciated the President for donating N50 million to the victims of the collapsed mining site, while pledging that the fund would be delivered to them.
