Lalong orders investigation into death of 6 in mining pit

Following the death of six in a mining pit in Jos South local government area of Plateau State on Wednesday, Governor Simon Lalong has directed the State Ministry of Mineral Development to immediately investigate circumstances leading to the tragic incident.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Press  Affairs to the governor, Dr Makut Simon Macham, the state governor also directed the  Ministry of Health to give the injured victims adequate attention and the very best of care possible.

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According to him, the Government is working to integrate artisanal miners into the licenced and regulated mining programme that adheres to strict procedures in order to avoid such occurrences in the future and warned against illegal mining in the state which he said does not only put the lives of people at risk but also leads to loss of revenues accruing to government.

He said henceforth, the Ministry of Solid Minerals and relevant agencies must step up supervision of the sector to ensure that all safety standards are adhered to.

The governor, however, sympathised with the families of victims, adding that the state government is saddened by the death of the young citizens whose lives have been cut short as a result of the tragic incident.

It would be recalled that six persons died as a result of a mining pit which collapsed at a site in Zawan Community in Jos South local government area of Plateau State.