TheCable

Urban Alert, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), says the federal government should look into the activities of illegal miners operating in the country.

On Tuesday, two people were killed and 77 others injured in an explosion which took place in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

The explosion was said to have been caused by explosive devices stored by illegal miners in one of the buildings in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

In a statement on Wednesday signed by Titilade Alayande, its communications officer, the NGO praised the swift response of local authorities and extended sympathies to those who lost loved ones, sustained injuries or lost their assets.

The organisation said weak mining laws and the inadequacies that exist in Nigeria’s public institutions have created a conducive environment for illegal miners.

Urban Alert said the situation has lead to significant lapses in public safety.

“The weak mining laws and weak government agencies open windows for illegalities and miners (licensed and illegal) often exploit the system,” the statement reads.

“We call on the government to prioritize the safety of Nigerians by sincerely probing the activities of miners and avert a repeat of this incident.

“Ultimately, we call on the Federal Government to empower the Federal Ministry of Mines, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the State Ministry of Environment and other relevant bodies to streamline coordination and collaboration among these agencies to foster a more cohesive and integrated approach to mining oversight.”

The organisation said if the institutions work together, they can collectively address the complexities of enforcing safety standards and regulations within the mining industry.

“We must safeguard the environment and fulfil our responsibility towards protecting Nigerians,” Urban Alert said.