FG warns against storage of explosives for illegal mining
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has cautioned individuals against storing explosive devices in their homes for illegal mining activities.
Idris stated this on Thursday during a condolence visit to the residents of Sabon Pegi in Niger.
In a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, the visit followed a dynamite explosion on Monday.
So far, the tragedy has resulted in the loss of lives and extensive property damage.
Idris said the storage of explosives devices for illegal mining was posing significant risks to the lives and property, urging those involved to desist from the heinous acts immediately.
According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu, had since directed the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to reorganise the sector to curtail such devastating illegalities.
“These are tragedies that are virtually man-made and we cannot allow that to continue. The president has directed that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should step up its campaigns to all Nigerians particularly those involved in illegal mining activities.
“This community is endowed with a lot of mineral resources. Only recently, the ministry has embarked on re-organisation of mining activities around the country, and we do hope that they will take this lesson very seriously,” he said.
The minister stated that Tinubu was deeply concerned with the recent surge in disasters across the country and has directed NOA to enhance its public awareness campaigns to prevent such incidents.
Idris, however, commended the Niger Government for its swift response to the tragedy.
He added that Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, along with the National Emergency Management Agency, to provide relief materials to the victims of the Sabon Pegi dynamite explosion
Other top-ranking government officials on the visit included Gov. Umaru Bago, Sen. Sani Bello( APC Niger-North) and the Speaker, Niger House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, among others.
