from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria Bureau
ABUJA, (CAJ News) – THE recent deaths of more than 40 miners at a site in north central Nigeria could have been avoided if security agencies had maintained a crackdown ordered by the Ministry of Mines about a decade ago.
This is according to a former mines minister, suggesting that security agencies could be complicit in the death of the miners at an underground mining site in Kampani Zurak in the Wase Local Government Area of the Plateau State.
Kayode Fayemi was the minister in 2017 when he directed the clampdown on illegal mining.
“What makes this even more painful is that it was entirely preventable,” he said following the recent tragedy.
Fayemi recalled how as minister, he visited the mines with the National Security Advisor, Babagana Monguno, and Governor Simon Lalong and ordered their closure, following numerous complaints from the community.
They embargoed mining at the sites, arrested the illegal Chinese operators, and declared the purported owner of the illegal lead and zinc mines, Alhaji Dan China, wanted.
“China was eventually apprehended and brought to book by the National Security Adviser but was released after I left office,” Fayemi said.
He said preliminary discussions with officials of the ministry, as well as with the former Deputy Speaker and Wase representative in the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, indicated that this tragedy occurred at the same mine.
“It could have been avoided if the security agencies had sustained the action taken by the Ministry in 2017.”
The former minister believes the government must now take firm and decisive action against operators who violate the law and environmental regulations, regardless of whose interests are affected.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate, called for a probe after the death toll rose to 47 over the weekend.
“I urge the government to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into what happened, with clear accountability and stronger enforcement of safety standards to ensure that such a preventable loss never occurs again,” Saraki said.
Dele Alake, The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has ordered the immediate closure of the mining site.
The Federal Government has dispatched investigators and mining experts to determine the cause and recommend sanctions.
The incident was attributed to a toxic gas leak but there were also conflicting early reports of an explosion or a pit collapse.
– CAJ News