News Investigators/ The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has condoled with the Government and people of Niger over the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Cyril Tsenyil, Managing Director of NCDC, described the incident as a huge loss to the nation.
Mr Tsenyil expressed his condolences in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Lafia by Dr Makut Simon-Macham, Head of Media and Corporate Communications of the commission.
He sympathised with Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, the families and loved ones of the deceased and the people of Niger.
The NCDC boss said safe, organised and coordinated mining activities were crucial to harnessing the vast mineral resources of the North-Central region for sustainable economic development.
He said the commission remained committed to working with relevant stakeholders to promote responsible mining practices and ensure that safety standards were prioritised in the exploitation of the region’s mineral resources.
Mr Tsenyil recalled that the recently concluded North Central Stakeholders Development Summit extensively deliberated on the region’s mineral resources and the need for their responsible exploitation.
He said recommendations from the summit would help shape the policy framework for the commission’s interventions in the mining sector and broader economic development of the region.
The managing director commended the swift actions taken by the Niger State and Federal Governments to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.
He expressed the hope that the investigation would help prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
Mr Tsenyil prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for God to grant their families, friends and the Government and people of Niger the fortitude to bear the loss.
NAN
