The Federal Government has set aside N5 billion to empower artisan miners across the country as part of measures to ensure participation of all Nigerians in economic development.

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this on Saturday when he inspected the gold mining site at Garin Awal at Fakai Local Government Area in Kebbi State.

“We have N5 billion in Bank of Industry for the use of small scale artisan miners, not only for self-equipping but to contribute to the economic development of Kebbi state and Nigeria, so that our economy will grow,” he said.

Mr. Fayemi explained that ISS-Hass Ltd, a Chinese mining company, has been in the community exploiting gold for more than three years, but had failed to develop the area by establishing schools, building roads, as well as providing portable water and employment for the youth, as part of an agreement entered into with the company.

He promised to investigate the allegations against the licensed operator in Garin Awal Village, Fakai Local Government of Kebbi State for alleged breach of agreement reached with the host community.

“We have seen what our artisan miners can do, which professionals in this business failed to achieve. That is from the very little efforts they are putting in place with their own efforts, digging and organising themselves.

“What we need is to enter into partnership with the state, to assist these miners, so that they could have land to operate, technical support as a way of improving their productivity and ensuring that they utilise the equipment beyond exploring mercury and finally support them through the Bank of Industry,” he said.

The minister, who expressed disappointment over the lack of commitment of licensed operators, said “ the provision of the law stipulates that licensed operators must provide community support and this must be captured in an agreement, which we call Community Development Agreement.

“The village head has told us that all the things they promised, none of them were done. No school, they have not seen anything. They just did rudimentary road that provides access for the operators,” he said.

In his remarks, the state governor, Abubakar Bagudu, expressed appreciation to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for its good policies, saying they had made the state to excel in agriculture.

Mr. Bagudu said the people o the state were ready to replicate the same achievement in the mining sector. (NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/251233-nigerian-govt-sets-aside-n5-billion-local-miners.html

Front Page: lalasticlala

A gold mining site in Kebbi? Lol it's weird certain people lost their minds over hearing there's gold there like having gold is strange thing in Nigeria. Anyway it's interesting the company is expected to deliver potable water, roads, schools and pay taxes. What do state and local governments do?

Front Page: lalasticlala

This is just more cosmetic nonsense, designed to catch the media's attention and nothing more. Instead of such irrelevant tinkering, what would really make a difference to miners of all types is the enshrinement of private property rights over land and any resources found in or beneath it, but that will never happen as long as Nigeria's political elite remains obsessed with siphoning some of that gusher of Niger-Delta oil revenues (and here I include the Niger-Delta's own elite, who just want to replace the FG's claims to oil rents with their own, while themselves remaining opposed to their individual subjects having private rights to natural resources found on their land).

I've read this story a few times and the fund is mentioned on the ministry's website. They should state how many businesses have benefited from the fund so far. How many miners have been registered and which states? These are necessary updates they haven't done. I guess they're waiting for a FOIA request.

More cash for Chieftains

Blue3k:


Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/251233-nigerian-govt-sets-aside-n5-billion-local-miners.html

Front Page: lalasticlala

south west will enjoy from this largesse skull mining, limb mining ,all na mining .I hail my people

good to hear Mr minister but we the real miners haven't seen any 5billion o. We are hoping and waiting to get if you are serious sir.

I hope the Skull miners of Oshogbo are not involved?

Babacele:
good to hear Mr minister but we the real miners haven't seen any 5billion o. We are hoping and waiting to get if you are serious sir.

Is skull mining what you call real mining?

Ikwokrikwo:

Is skull mining what you call real mining?

how do you mean sir? never heard of such a mineral before. I'm talking about minerals buried in the belly of Naija soils and water like gold, lead ,copper, zinc, coal etc Since you an expert in skull mining, maybe you can educate us sir .

Babacele:
good to hear Mr minister but we the real miners haven't seen any 5billion o. We are hoping and waiting to get if you are serious sir.

Hey I found this info in case you want to apply. You can give it a try see if it benefits you. Anyway best of luck to you.

omohayek:
This is just more cosmetic nonsense, designed to catch the media's attention and nothing more. Instead of such irrelevant tinkering, what would really make a difference to miners of all types is the enshrinement of private property rights over land and any resources found in or beneath it, but that will never happen as long as Nigeria's political elite remains obsessed with siphoning some of that gusher of Niger-Delta oil revenues (and here I include the Niger-Delta's own elite, who just want to replace the FG's claims to oil rents with their own, while themselves remaining opposed to their individual subjects having private rights to natural resources found on their land).

Well said. I couldn't agree more.
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Unfortunately, the highlighted is beyond the executive as it is a constitutional matter. I had hoped that the current NASS members will use the recent constitution amendment opportunity to correct this anomaly, but alas, they voted against it. Makes me wonder who is really afraid of repealing the retrogressive Land Use Act .

Until you revive Ajaokuta....you have not done anything!




So much bureaucracy!

Blue3k:


Hey I found this info in case you want to apply. You can give it a try see if it benefits you. Anyway best of luck to you.

God bless you bro.