Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has issued a stern warning against the storage of explosives for illegal mining, following a deadly dynamite explosion in Sabon Pegi, Niger State, that claimed multiple lives and destroyed properties.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the warning during a condolence visit to the affected community, where he lamented the tragic consequences of illegal explosive storage.
Expressing deep concern over the rising incidence of avoidable disasters, Idris revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the National Orientation Agency to intensify awareness campaigns, especially in rural communities, to curb illegal activities that endanger lives.
“These are tragedies that are virtually man-made, and we cannot allow that to continue. The President has directed the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to step up efforts in reorganizing mining activities across the country.
“First and foremost, we have to understand that this kind of tragedy is happening too frequently in our country, and the President is deeply saddened,” the Minister stated. “He has directed the NOA to carry out advocacy and enlightenment campaigns to ensure these incidents do not recur.”
The Minister was accompanied by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, and Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, among others.
Commending the Niger State Government for its swift response, Idris assured that the Federal Government would provide relief support for those affected.
“The President has also directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, along with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to assist the victims of the Sabon Pegi explosion,” he announced.
The explosion, reportedly caused by stored dynamite for illegal mining, has once again highlighted the dangers of unregulated mining activities.
