Plateau Mines Disaster Was Preventable — Fayemi

Former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of about 40 people and the injuries sustained by several others in the recent mining site tragedy at Kampani Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday evening, Fayemi described the tragic incident as “entirely preventable”, lamenting that it could have been avoided if previous enforcement measures had been sustained.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Fayemi was a Minister of Mines and Steel Development under the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I feel pained to learn of the deaths of about 40 people, with several others injured and still missing, at the Kampani Zurak mines in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. What makes this even more painful is that it was entirely preventable,” Fayemi wrote.

Recalling his tenure as minister, Fayemi said he had earlier visited the mining sites alongside the then National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Plateau State governor following multiple complaints from the local community.

“We embargoed mining at the sites, arrested the illegal Chinese operators, and declared the purported owner of the illegal lead and zinc mines, Alhaji Dan China, wanted. He was eventually apprehended and brought to book by the National Security Adviser but was released after I left office,” he stated.

Fayemi further disclosed that his preliminary discussions with officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and Rt. Hon. Idris Wase, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and representative of Wase Federal Constituency, revealed that the recent tragedy occurred at the same site that had been previously shut down.

“It could have been avoided if the security agencies had sustained the action taken by the Ministry in 2017,” he noted.

While extending condolences to the victims’ families, the former minister urged the government to take “firm and decisive action” against operators who violate mining and environmental regulations, stressing that enforcement should not be compromised.

“My sincere condolences go to the families of the deceased. Government must now take firm and decisive action against operators who violate the law and environmental regulations, regardless of whose interests are affected. Mining activities must not be conducted to the detriment of host communities,” Fayemi concluded.