NAN-HE-6
Mining
By Awayi Kuje
Udege (Nasarawa State) June 9, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Mines Workers (NUMW), Nasarawa State chapter, has called on mining companies operating in the state to live up to their social responsibility by providing basic facilities for their host communities.
Mr Abubakar Bala, the state chairman of the union made the call on Friday during a meeting with stakeholders of Udege Mbeki Community in Udege Mbeki, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chinese mining companies are currently exploring different minerals in Udege Development Area of the state.
Bala said that the provision of social amenities such as hospitals, roads, and electricity among others to host communities would go a long way in improving the standard of living of the communities and the state at large.
“We are all aware that the importance of mining to the socio-economic development of the country cannot be over-emphaised
“Apart from improving on the standard of living of the people, it will also help in fighting poverty, unemployment, youths restiveness and boost the revenue base and socio-economic development of the country,’’ he said.
Bala also called on communities in the state to support mining companies in the state in the interest of peace and national development.
“I also want to use this medium to call on mining companies that are yet to register their members with the union to do so, considering the importance of association to members’ welfare and the society.
Bala also advised Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
Some of the stakeholders who spoke to NAN, decried the constant kidnapping of miners in the state and called for proactive measures to tackle the menace.
NAN recalls that the Police Command in the state, had in April, arrested some suspected kidnappers who were alleged to have kidnapped some miners from various mining sites in Udege, Agwada and Toto Local Government Areas among others. (NAN)
AKW/EEE
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama