Children abandon school for mining business in Niger

Children of ages between 10 and 15 years in Keteringi in Kacha Local Government Area of Niger State are aban­doning school for ‘lucrative’ mining business in the area.

Although Adamu Garba, a director in the state ministry of the environment, when contacted, described the develop­ment as child labour, checks on some mining sites within the local government showed an increasing involvement of children in the mining activities.

Youths, aged men and pregnant wom­en were also seen in their large number participating in the business.

One of the teenagers, Bashir Ibrahim, who was seen at the site on Wednesday, gave reason for his participation. “We don’t have any other work to do, hence our involvement in the mining business. We need to survive”.

Ramatu Isa, a pregnant woman, said “I am in this business to enable me cater for my family. I am aware that it is not healthy for me and the baby I am carrying, but I cannot just be idle; I have to support my husband.

Isa said she was being paid N3,000 daily, depending on the number of gold found while breaking stones.“

Another miner, Abubakar Dogo said “I came from Kaduna State because I got information that the mining business is profitable.

“The business is very lucrative. We sell one gramme of gold for N10,0000 which is very good, “ he added.

Kabiru Musa said “we have sponsors that provide mining equipment which make our work easy and we share the profit together.

I have built my personal house, got a new wife from the business and of recent bought a motor cycle. “I am planning to buy a new set of mining equipment so

that others can rent from me, “he said.

Adamu Garba, director of mining, Niger State ministry of environment, ad­vised the artisan miners to join coopera­tive societies. He said this would enable them to follow due process in obtaining permit from the federal ministry of mines and steel development.

According to Garba, if they were reg­istered, they could be employed by regis­tered mining companies and contribute positively towards enhancing the nation`s revenue base.

He frowned at the involvement of children in the mining activities, describ­ing it as child labour, which should be discouraged.

The director advised youths in the area to form cooperative societies to legalise their activities. He also urged parents to desist from involving children in mining activities but should rather enroll them in schools to acquire formal education.