By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Niger State government has donated the sum of N174 million to victims of the dynamite explosion that occurred in Sabon Pegi, Mashegu local government area of the State.
Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the cash donation on Wednesday when he visited the scene of the explosion to commiserate with the victims and the community members.
He was accompanied by the Minister of Information and National Orientation Agency, Mohammed Idris, the Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District,Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Speaker Niger State House of Assembly, AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji, Federal and State Lawmakers from the State, some State Executive Council members, APC stalwarts and the Emir of Borgu, Mohammed Sani Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV among other dignitaries.
The farmer Governor explained that N5 million each should be given to those whose houses were totally destroyed, N2 million to those partially damaged, N1 million to the injured, N2 million to the families of the deceased and N1 million each to those whose vehicles were affected.
He said the cash donation is to provide succour to the victims, adding that a committee will be set up to ensure the judicious sharing of the money.
The farmer Governor acknowledged that the area has large deposit of gold and lithium in the State, and it’s characterised by artisanal mining resulting in insecurity in the area as they have explosives and guns in their possessions.
He called on the people to surrender their explosives and other dangerous weapons they use to the Committee made up of Security agencies, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Traditional Institutions and other relevant stakeholders for safe storage instead of keeping them in their houses.
While sympathising with the victims of the incident,the farmer Governor called on the people to embrace the responsible mining policy of the State Government for their safety.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation Agency, Alh. Mohammed Idris said the President is deeply saddened by the incident, describing it as man made tragedy and cannot be allowed to continue.
He said the President has instructed that an advocacy and enlightenment campaigns should be stepped up by the National Orientation Agency, particularly to those involved in illegal mining activities to avert recurrence
The Minister also stated that the President has directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA and other relevant MDAs of the Federal Government saddled with responsibilities of intervention to complement the efforts of the State government in ameliorating the sufferings of the people.
He commended the efforts of the State government and promised that the Federal Government will consolidate on them to collectively ensure Nigeria is safer, especially from man-made disasters.
Niger North Senator, and immediate past Governor of Niger State, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, described the incident as unfortunate and stressed the need for education for the people to engage in best practices in mining activities and then announced a cash donation of N50 million to the victims of the explosion.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji, Member representing Kontagora/Wushishi/Mariga/Mashegu Federal Constituency, Abdullahi Idris Garba, APC National Vice Chairman North Central and Chairman, Bio-Safety Management Agency, Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, commended the show of love and concern that the farmer Governor has for his constituents.
They unanimously condemned the act of keeping dynamites in their houses, calling on the people to desist from such act for their safety.
Earlier, the Chairman of Mashegu Local Government area, Umar Jibrin Igade, appreciated the farmer Governor for the visit and his continuous support to people, especially in terms of needs.
He has been working closely with NSEMA and NEMA officials since the incident occurred and disclosed that 69 people were affected by the dynamite explosion out of which two deaths were recorded, 6 injured and have been treated and discharged from the hospital.
The Council Chairman further revealed that 17 houses were completely destroyed,35 partly damaged and 9 vehicles affected.
He said the Council has banned artisanal mining in the local government temporary pointing out that it has been discovered that many more people are still having dynamites stored in their houses.
The Council Chairman called on his Counterpart in Magama, which is a border local government, to also enforce a temporary ban on artisanal mining for effective outcomes, while urging the State government for support to that effect.
The farmer Governor and other dignitaries thereafter visited the scene of the incident and some victims of the disaster.
