The government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to enforcing an insurance policy for workers in the mining industry in the nation. Dr. Oladele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, conveyed the sympathies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a visit to the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, in Minna to offer condolences following a recent collapse of a mine pit in Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
Dr. Alake expressed the President’s condolences to the families of the victims, the injured, the community, and the government and people of Niger state, and spoke strongly about the commitment to intensify monitoring of mining operations for adherence to environmental standards. He also commended the State government for its quick mobilization of emergency rescue operations in collaboration with federal agencies and stressed the importance of rescuing those still trapped.
In order to enhance safety measures and provide support to miners and their families in the event of accidents, Dr. Alake announced that insurance policies for miners across the country will be enforced. He also emphasised the federal government’s position 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. The Minister also highlighted the need for contingency plans to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on mining sites.
Governor Bago expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the condolence visit and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the federal government and subnationals to ensure that mining companies comply with safety standards. He advocated for the strengthening of measures to enhance periodic monitoring and evaluation of the environmental impact of mining operations to minimize the reoccurrence of such unfortunate incidents.
Governor Bago also appealed to the federal government to focus on making the state the epicentre of the nation’s mining sector, citing the abundance of commercially viable critical minerals in the state. Additionally, he announced a donation of £100,000 on behalf of President Tinubu to assist affected patients and families while visiting recuperating victims at IBB Specialist Hospital.
With the government’s renewed commitment to enforcing insurance policies and improving safety standards within the mining sector, it is hoped that the industry will experience positive change and provide a safer working environment for miners across Nigeria.