Mr. Azubike and the representatives of the Emirs of Anka, Gusau, Bukkuyum, and Maru, Alh. Halilu Ahmad; Alh. Bashir Mohammed; Alh. Sani Mohammed Bukkuyum and Alh. Muhammad Sulaiman jointly gave the certificates of registration to the mining cooperatives.
The Director of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining told the cooperatives that the certificates would entitle the owners to enjoy some benefits from the federal government in mining activities, adding that they were not mining leases.
He advised the cooperatives to obtain Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Leases from the Mining Cadastre Office in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in order to legalize their mining operations in the State.
Mr. Azubike said that the essence of the stakeholders meeting was to take stock of the progress made so far on the implementation of the safer mining programme in Zamfara State and exchange ideas to facilitate the timely completion of the programme.
According to Mr. Azubike some of the completed and on-going components of the safer mining programme include: formalization of Artisanal and Small Scale Miners into cooperatives; sensitization of miners on safer mining in Hausa language on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Kaduna and Zamfara State Radio, Gusau; sensitization of miners through the erection of billboards mounted at strategic places in Zamfara State; road shows on safer mining in the State with the distribution of T-shirts, Face-caps, and flyers; training of miners on safety, health and environmental issues; procurement and distribution of safety kits to miners; appointment of extension officers; purchase of a four wheel land rover for operational use; purchase and installation of igoli and crusher machines for gold ore processing; purchase and presentation of motor cycles and generators for three mining outposts.
The Director disclosed that the three Igoli and crusher machines had arrived the country, adding that the process of installation was going on in Anka, Maru and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.
He added that after the installation of the machines, a few of them would be trained on how to operate them and thereafter they would be handed over to the miners.
For smooth operation, the miners were advised to put in place a management team on how to run and maintain the machines after installation.
In his remarks at the event, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Hon. Moukthar Lugga thanked the Federal Government for the approval and release of the intervention fund for the Zamfara lead poison incident.
Hon. Lugga noted that through the intervention fund and the implementation of various programme elements by the Federal Ministries of Mines and Steel Development, Environment, Health and other stakeholders the 2010 mining disaster was salvaged in the State.
Hon. Lugga observed that at inception the safer mining programme was viewed with skepticism, but as the programme progressed people began to understand and appreciate what was being done.
The Commissioner commended the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for the progress made so far on the implementation of the safer mining programme in Zamfara State.
He assured that Zamfara State Government would continue to support the Federal Government to sustain the safer mining programme in Zamfara State.
The miners who are the direct beneficiaries from the Igoli and crusher machines were advised to make judicious use of the equipment by the Commissioner.
The Chairman of one of the cooperatives, Mr. Adamu Tsiko of Bagega Mining Cooperative thanked the Federal Government for registering them as mining cooperatives and implementation of the safer mining programme in Zamfara State. He assured that they would continue to do the right things in their mining operations in the State.
A road show for sensitization on safer mining in Zamfara State was also carried out in Gusau, the Zamfara State Capital during the stakeholders meeting.
Source: Zamfara State capital during a stakeholders meeting of the safer mining programme (http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/2012-10-29-11-09-25/news/568-zamfara-state-capital-during-a-stakeholders-meeting-of-the-safer-mining-programme)