The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has expressed profound grief over the recent mining disaster in Kanpani Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, which claimed the lives of more than 35 miners. The agency has also urged stringent enforcement of safety protocols across all mining sites nationwide.
Addressing the tragedy, NOA Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, described the incident as “completely unacceptable in a modern society,” stressing that strict adherence to mining safety regulations is crucial to protecting human lives and preserving national infrastructure.
Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director of Communication and Media at NOA, reinforced the DG’s position, highlighting the dangers posed by unauthorised mining operations and substandard safety measures. He warned that such reckless practices often lead to catastrophic outcomes, including explosions and infernos like the one that caused this tragic loss of life.
The DG called on Nigerians to collectively reject practices that result in mass casualties and national trauma, emphasizing that such disasters are entirely preventable.
“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,” Mallam Issa-Onilu stated.
He further urged mining authorities and stakeholders to intensify efforts to enforce compliance with established safety standards, including routine inspections and monitoring of mining sites, to avert future tragedies.
The NOA’s statement underscored the agency’s commitment to promoting public awareness and safety in critical sectors to prevent loss of lives and national setbacks.
