- Tinubu expresses concern
- FG commends Niger State Government for its swift response to the tragedy
- Tinubu directs the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to reorganise the sector to curtail illegalities
The Federal Government has cautioned individuals against storing explosive devices in their homes for illegal mining activities, emphasising the grave risks such practices pose to lives and property.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris gave the warning on Wednesday in Sabon Pegi, Niger State, during a condolence visit to the scene of the Monday morning explosion, which resulted in the loss of lives and extensive property damage.
The Minister was accompanied on the visit by the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago; former Governor and Senator representing Niger North, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello; and the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, among other top-ranking government officials.
Idris emphasised that the storage of explosive devices for illegal mining poses significant risks to lives and property, urging those involved to desist immediately.
He disclosed that the President had directed the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to reorganise the sector to curtail such illegalities.
According to him, “These are tragedies that are virtually man-made, and we cannot allow that to continue. The President has directed that the National Orientation Agency step up its campaigns, advocacy, and enlightenment to all Nigerians, particularly those in this illegal mining activity. This community is endowed with a lot of mineral resources.
“Only recently, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development embarked on the reorganisation of mining activities around the country, and we do hope that they will take this lesson very seriously,” he said.
The Minister, however, noted that the President is deeply concerned about the recent surge in disasters across the country and has directed the National Orientation Agency to enhance its public awareness campaigns to prevent such incidents.
“First and foremost, we have to understand that this kind of tragedy is happening just too many times in our country, and the President is deeply saddened. He has instructed that the National Orientation Agency carry out advocacy and enlightenment campaigns, especially among these rural communities, to avert a recurrence of this,” he stated.
The Minister commended the Niger State Government for its swift response to the tragedy and stated that the President has also directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, along with the National Emergency Management Agency, to support the efforts by providing relief to the victims of the Sabon Pegi dynamite explosion.
Discussion about this post