In the wake of renewed cases of lead poisoning in Zamfara State, the Nigerian Government has issued a stern directive for all illegal miners to immediately vacate mining sites across the state. This comes as authorities express grave concerns over the health risks tied to unauthorized mining activities.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, stressed that the ongoing six-year mining ban should have prevented the recent outbreak in Bugundu Local Government Area. He attributed the incident to failures by traditional and local authorities, accusing them of turning a blind eye to illegal operations despite being funded by the federal government.
Dr. Alake warned that such negligence fosters lawlessness with dangerous consequences, as seen in the current health emergency. He emphasized the need for all citizens and local leaders to uphold federal regulations.
To prevent future disasters, the Minister revealed that the government will act on expert reports to recommend immediate and long-term safety measures.
He also applauded the Zamfara State Government's emergency response efforts, urging deeper collaboration between the state and federal agencies to root out illegal mining.
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Looking ahead, the Ministry plans to roll out comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to govern the safe and regulated resumption of mining in the state. These SOPs will cover licensing, community development obligations, and environmental safeguards.
Additionally, a new satellite monitoring system will be deployed nationwide to track and shut down unauthorized mining activities, marking a major step towards reforming Nigeria's mining sector.
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