DIPLOMAN TIMES

Governor Agbu Kefas has announced plans for Taraba Responsible Artisanal Mining and Community Health Standards following an engagement with artisanal miners and other mining-sector stakeholders in Jalingo.

The meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of TY Danjuma House in Jalingo, brought together government officials, mining stakeholders, miners' associations and representatives of mining communities. Governor Kefas said the engagement was necessary because artisanal mining is connected to both livelihoods and community safety, with many families depending on the sector for survival.

Kefas said the government would listen to people directly involved in artisanal and small-scale mining, understand their challenges and support them to operate lawfully and productively. He announced plans to establish standards intended to improve mining practices and strengthen protection for communities affected by mining activities.

The proposed standards are expected to cover protection of water sources, training for miners and health workers, and a system for reporting and correcting dangerous mining practices. The Permanent Bureau for Solid Minerals, Matsai David Angye, said the government's objective was not to stop artisanal miners from earning a living but to organise, train and empower them for safer and more productive operations.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for artisanal miners from different parts of the state to present their demands. The occasion featured an award recognising Governor Kefas as the “Most Mining-Friendly Governor,” according to the Taraba government publication.

Separately, Kefas presented dummy cheques totalling ₦2.5 billion for intervention programmes. The stated breakdown comprises ₦500 million for Taraba CARES, ₦1 billion for the Taraba State Youth Development Agency and another ₦1 billion for relief and recovery efforts in Karim Lamido and other crisis-affected communities. The Governor directed relevant committees to ensure that the funds are used judiciously and with transparency and accountability.