The Niger State Government has approved a N50 million compensation package for the families of victims of a collapsed mining pit in Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred in June after a heavy downpour, left scores of miners trapped and led to the recovery of 14 bodies as of last week.
According to the PUNCH, the approval of the compensation was announced on Monday by the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Gawu, who stated that Governor Mohammed Bago had approved the funds.
The state government also inaugurated a 13-member committee to oversee the distribution of the compensation to the affected families.
“The state government has approved N50 million as relief for the families of victims of the collapsed mining pit in Shiroro Local Government Area. We have also established a 13-man committee to manage the disbursement of these funds to the victims’ families,” Gawu said.
He further reminded the public that the state government had imposed a ban on mining activities, which remains in effect.
Gawu emphasized that mining companies licensed by the federal government must obtain permission from the state government before conducting any mining operations.
The compensation comes after families of the victims had demanded financial support and threatened legal action against the state government and African Minerals and Logistics Limited, the owners of the collapsed mine, if their demands were not met.
Despite the state government’s gesture, the district head of Galadima Kogo, Umaru Aliyu, expressed disappointment that it took so long for the authorities to provide assistance to the victims’ families.
The delay had caused frustration among the families, who had been awaiting help since the tragic incident.
It was reported that not all of the victims were residents of Niger State; some hailed from Kogi and other northern states.
Additionally, Galadima Kogo has been identified as a hotspot for banditry, partly due to the area’s rich mineral resources.
Meanwhile, a relative of one of the victims, Suleiman Isah, confirmed that the company had promised to provide compensation but had not yet followed through.
“This accident affected one of my brothers, my blood brother. He was one of the nine people already buried, and we are still expecting five more bodies from the pit. We have not heard anything from the company that owns the collapsed mine, although they promised to compensate us,” Isah said.
