FARMER GOVERNOR UMARU BAGO VISITS SCENE OF DYNAMITE EXPLOSION IN SABON PEGI, MASHEGU LGA, DONATES N174 MILLION TO VICTIMS
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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 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.
