…As DG mourns victims of Wase mine disaster
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has advocated for strict enforcement of safety regulations and improved protective measures across mining sites nationwide to safeguard lives and prevent future occurrences.
Director General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who made the demand while expressing deep sorrow over the tragic death of more than 35 miners at Kanpani Zurak in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, said the unfortunate incident is completely unacceptable in a modern society.
Issa-Onilu stressed that strict compliance with safety rules and regulations must be made a top priority, saying that it is essential to protecting human lives and preserving critical national infrastructure.
The NOA DG emphasised that the dangers associated with unauthorised mining operations and substandard safety measures far outweigh any perceived benefits.
Issa-Onilu warned that such reckless practices frequently give rise to devastating consequences, including the kind of explosions and infernos that claimed lives in the tragic incident.
The DG urged Nigerians to collectively stand against actions that have repeatedly resulted in mass casualties, national trauma, and the needless loss of lives, stressing that such tragedies are entirely avoidable.
In the words of Issa-Onilu; “We mourn the loss of our compatriots in the mining community and extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families. We stand in solidarity with them, with the state, and with Nigeria as a whole”.
A statement by Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director, Communication and Media at the NOA, stated that Issa-Onilu also called on
relevant authorities and stakeholders in the mining sector to intensify efforts in enforcing compliance with established safety standards.
The DG equally called for routine inspections and monitoring of mining sites as part of efforts to prevent future occurrences.
