President Muhammadu Buhari has said his government is committed supporting artisanal gold miners to ensure increase in mining capacity and fair pricing.
He stated this while receiving briefing from the Steering Committee and Management Team of Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) on Wednesday at State House.
Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI), which is under the oversight of Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that artisanal miners receive a fair price for their efforts. The multitudes of hardworking Nigerians in the field, toiling under the sun trying to earn an honest living, are now able to enjoy protection from the clutches of those who seek to exploit their hard labour.
The President said PAGMI framework will help in transparent gold supply chain, combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and environmental degradation.
“The Team presented to me the newly-developed Responsible Mining Framework for PAGMI, which will result in a transparent gold supply chain in Nigeria, and assist in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, child labour, economic sabotage, human rights abuses, and environmental damage.”
He stressed that the pilot scheme has been successfully launched in Kebbi State, and would soon be expanded to other states, stressing that PAGMI targets 3-5 tonnes of gold over the next 12 month.
“Now that PAGMI has successfully delivered a pilot scheme in Kebbi State, it is time to roll out and expand sustainably across other States. We are committed to providing all the necessary support required to achieve this.
“I support PAGMI’s target of aggregating 3-5 tonnes of gold over the next 12 months, as this will deliver tremendous fiscal and economic benefits to the nation.”