By Charity Nwakaudu
The Niger State government has donated One Hundred and Seventy Four million Naira to the victims of the recent dynamite explosion in the State.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the donation when he visited the scene of the explosion at Sabon Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area of the State
Governor Bago while sympathising with members of the community, said out of the 174 million naira, Five million naira each should go 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.
Governor Bago urged the community to embrace the mining policy of the State Government instead of illegal stockpiling Dynamites.
Also the immediate past Governor of the State, Senator representing Niger North, Abubakar Sani Bello, also donated Fiffty million naira to the victims.
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris described the incident as a man made tragedy which must be stopped.
Worried by the tragedy, Alhaji Idris said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Orientation Agency to step up advocacy campaigns on illegal mining activities.
Earlier, the Chairman Mashegu Local Government Area, Mr Umar Jibrin Igade, said the Council has placed temporary ban on artisanal mining because many people are still having dynamites in their houses.
Others on the Governor’s entourage including lawmakers from the State and National Assemblies unanimously called for the proper regulation on the use of Dynamites.
