Mine Workers Back FG On Solid Minerals Funding, Seek Inclusion

The Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) has commended the Federal Government for introducing the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF)-EMERGE funding initiative, saying the programme could transform Nigeria’s mining industry, create more jobs and improve the welfare of mine workers.

The union, however, called on the government and mining companies to complement the sector’s growing revenue with better working conditions, world-class safety standards, decent wages and social protection for mine workers.

National President of NUMW, Comrade Hamza Muhammad, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

Muhammad said the SMDF-EMERGE initiative represented a significant step towards providing funding for exploration projects by organised private sector operators and could help Nigerian-owned mining companies attain world-class status.

According to him, the initiative could encourage the emergence of more companies operating at the level of established mining firms such as Segilola Resources and Thor Explorations, with positive implications for employment and workers’ welfare.

“For mine workers, it impacts us as we will be better paid and will have improved working conditions and better standard of living, while it will create more employment opportunities for mine workers,” he said.

The NUMW president described SMDF-EMERGE as a groundbreaking initiative, noting that it represented a major effort by the Federal Government to establish a dedicated funding window for private sector investment in the mineral sector.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would result in the disbursement of grants to successful private sector applicants, describing the application process as hitch-free and transparent.

“As a union, the NUMW is not usually disposed to commending the government, but at this stage, and in view of the hitch-free and transparent processes that typified the application process of the SMDF-EMERGE grant, we wish to commend the Federal Government for the effort,” Muhammad said.

He said the union was hopeful that the disbursement of funds to successful beneficiaries would take place soon, adding that increased investment in exploration and mining would have direct implications for employment, productivity and workers’ earnings.

Muhammad, however, appealed to the Federal Government to include NUMW in subsequent phases of the initiative, explaining that the union planned to establish a comprehensive database of mine workers across the country.

He also called on the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, SMDF and other relevant agencies to ensure that workers remained part of future grants, training programmes, equipment support and welfare interventions.

“The SMDF was created to develop the entire mining sector. The workers are the heart of the mines,” he said.

“When you empower NUMW, you empower thousands of mine workers in every state of the federation. When you strengthen the union, you strengthen safety, productivity and peace in the mining sector.”

However, while commending the government’s efforts to attract investment into the sector, the union said the benefits of the mining industry’s growth must extend to the workers who drive production.

Muhammad noted that mine workers had remained neglected 66 years after independence despite the increasing revenue being generated from the sector.

He recalled the contribution of mine workers to Nigeria’s development and expressed concern that workers still operated without adequate safety measures, modern technical training and appropriate equipment, while receiving poor remuneration despite the profits generated by mining companies.

He urged the Federal Government and mining companies to enforce strict safety standards across mining operations, particularly in the handling of hazardous substances such as mercury.

The union also called for greater investment in skills development, technical training and modern mining methods to improve workers’ capacity and productivity.

Muhammad demanded decent wages, insurance, compensation and adequate social protection for mine workers across the country.

The union also commended the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and its agencies for their advocacy, training and education programmes for mine workers across various mining sites.

According to him, the recent accidents further underscored the urgent need to strengthen occupational safety and health standards in the mining industry.

He consequently directed all state chairmen and branch executives of the union to intensify education and sensitisation of mine workers on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).

Muhammad said the NUMW would continue to advocate the protection and welfare of mine workers, noting that their contribution remained central to the development of Nigeria’s mining industry.

“The labour of mine workers built this nation. It is time to reward that labour with justice, safety and dignity,” he added.