By Awwal Umar Kontagora Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Mines Workers (NUMW) in the Niger State chapter, Comr. Musa Adamu Nasko, has dis...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Mines Workers (NUMW) in the Niger State chapter, Comr. Musa Adamu Nasko, has distanced his union from the incident of a land collapse that led to the loss of more than thirty laborers in the Shiroro local government area.
Nasko stated that the victims were not miners affiliated with NUMW but were working for a company whose owner has previously distanced himself from the union. He explained that four years ago, the company owner took NUMW to the High Court after they asked his laborers to register with the union. Following this, many of his workers, who were NUMW members, were dismissed from the company.
After this court decision, the company resumed operations with new laborers, a fact known to the security forces. While NUMW sympathizes with the victims, Nasko emphasized that the Niger State chapter of NUMW is not implicated in this incident.
Nasko noted that the Niger State government has enacted a law prohibiting mining in the state, and the union has adhered to this law. He assured that if anyone is found mining in the forest, they are not NUMW members. He urged the state government and the Ministry of Mines to cooperate with NUMW.
NUMW is a union affiliated with the National Labor Union and operates under the state government's orders because it consists of loyal citizens. Nasko called on all members to remain patient, expressing hope for a resolution. He emphasized that the union does not permit any laborer to engage in mining activities.
Our correspondent's investigation revealed that several companies continue to mine privately in Niger State with the support of influential state members, despite the government ban.
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