FG To Enforce Insurance Policy For Mine Workers

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to enforce insurance policy for mine workers in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media
to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori in Abuja.

According to the statement, the Minister who Represented President Bola Tinubu on a condolence visit to the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, in Minna, conveys the President’s sympathies following the recent mine pit collapse in Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area.

“I bring the condolences and sympathies of Mr. President to the families of victims, those injured, the entire community, and the government and people of Niger state on the mine pit collapse. It is unfortunate and avoidable. Though we learned the disaster was due to heavy downpour, we are committed to intensifying the monitoring of mining operations to ensure conformity to environmental standards,” Alake states

The statement commends the state government for swiftly mobilizing emergency rescue operations in collaboration with federal agencies, stressing that all efforts must be made to rescue those still trapped.

It also emphasizes that the federal government’s stance that remediation plans must accompany mining license applications, stating that irresponsible mining operations posing threats to the environment and communities will no longer be tolerated.

“We must also put in place contingency plans to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on mining sites. For instance, making the installation of support pillars under shafts mandatory. This practice is common in other countries,” he adds.

According to the statement in his remarks, the Niger state Governor Umar Bago expresses gratitude to President Tinubu for the condolence visit and emphasizes the need for a concerted effort between the federal government and subnationals to ensure mining companies comply with safety standards.

He advocates the strengthening of collaborative measures to enhance periodic monitoring and evaluation of the environmental impact of mining operations to minimize recurrence of the unfortunate incident.

According to the statement, the Governor while citing the preponderance of commercially viable critical minerals in the state, appeals to the federal government to focus on making the state the pivot of developing the nation’s mining sector.

It adds that the Governor accompanied by the minister visited recuperating victims at the IBB Specialist Hospital on behalf of President Tinubu, where a donation of N50 million was announced to assist victims.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji