The Niger State Government has set up a 13-man relief committee saddled with responsibility for the disbursement of N50 million to the families of victims of the mine pit collapse at Galadima Kogo in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
Inaugurating the committee, the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman Gurara, said Governor Mọhammed Umar Bago has approved the release of N50 million for the families of victims.
According to him: “The N50 million earmarked for the disbursement has already been deposited in a designated bank account, waiting for the committee members to come up with a template or modalities for such payment to the beneficiaries.”
He explained that the terms of reference of the committee include identifying the victims who died, their next of kin, those who were wounded, as well as those who provided rescue operations for compensation for rendering humanitarian services during the incident.
” The committee is expected to also determine the mode of payment and any other additional information. They are expected to submit their report to the Niger State Government at the end of this all-important assignment,” Gurara said.
He also insisted that the ban on illegal mining throughout the state is still in force.
“Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has directed relevant ministries to profile the miners for easy identification before giving the go-ahead to continue,” he disclosed.
The chairman of the committee and Permanent Secretary General Services, Abubakar Sadik Idris, assured in his acceptance speech that probity and accountability will remain the watchwords of members as they discharge their duties.
Meanwhile, the district head of Galadima Kogo, Umar Aliyu, disclosed in his remarks that a total of 14 persons died, with 10 bodies recovered, eight persons rescued and several others injured.
The committee is expected to submit its report within three weeks to the state government.
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