Recognizing Artisanal and Small Scale Mining as an integral part of rural societies and economies with a potential for ensuring sustainable economic growth, the Federal Government through the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project of the World Bank has commenced the disbursement of the sum of $10 million US Dollar   grants to improve the operations of Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASM) and Mining Communities.

The Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke presented the cheques to the first ten beneficiaries of the Micro grants in Abuja, yesterday. Over N53 million grants was given to the first beneficiaries

The Minister said that a grant fund of $10 million US Dollar which is part of the N120 million grant approved by the World Bank is part of the present administration’s commitment at assisting the Artisanal and Small Scale Mines (ASM) to acquire physical assets, training and services and provide social in frastructures  for mining communities thereby increasing their socio-economic contribution to the nation’s economy.

The Minister noted that there was the need to include more community Development Association to benefit from the grants as the operators of Artisanal Miners would create a “trickle down effect” for the host communities, stressing strict compliance in the implementation of the grants.

Mrs Alison – Madueke said that the present administration’s focus is presently on the development of the lower-tier of artisanal miners who require assistance to improve their operations. She added that the middle tier artisanal miners also need assistance and the Ministry had requested for additional grants from the World Bank to address that.

She also disclosed that commercial banks through the efforts of the Federal Government have indicated interest in providing funds in terms of seed funds and other commercial loans to support the Mining sector.

The Minister disclosed that the selection  and approval  process of the grants programme  will ensure   utmost transparency and accountability, adding that, Non – Governmental  Organizations also participate in the administration of the micro-grants scheme to ensure transparency and accountability .

While charging the beneficiaries of the grants to make judicious use of the grants for the improvement of their operations, the Minister said that the Ministry has put in place training and extension services to assist the beneficiaries while strict monitoring of the implementation of the grants programme would be sustained.

In the words of the Minister” In the next 4 – 5 years , I  know  that some of the recipients of these grants today, will move from the lowest tier of artisanal and Small Scale Miners to the middle or upper tier”.

She added that the implementation strategy for the programme was to disburse grants to at least Ten (10) beneficiaries on a monthly basis until the entire spectrum of mining is covered.

Seven (7) Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Projects and three (3) community projects are the first ten (10) beneficiaries of the grant. They include:

(1)        Irrigwe Women Multi – Purpose Cooperate  Society , Jos, Plateau

                State.

(2)       Rarin-Sho Multipurpose Cooperative  Society, Barkin – Ladi,

                    Plateau State.

(3)         Funakaye Gypsum Mining/Miners Cooperative Society, Funakaye,

                Gombe State.

(4)         Kufena South Quarry workers Union, Kufena Zaria, Kaduna State.

(5)        Gypsum Miners and Suppliers Cooperative Society, Gada, Sokoto State.

(6)        Otuifunanya (Abaomege) Stone Suppliers Cooperative Society

     OZara, Abaomege, Ebonyi State.

(7)       Ido – Osi Local Government Tipper/Quarry Cooperative Society, Ido-Osi

    Ekiti State.

(8)      Azara Community Development Association, Azara, Nasarawa State.

(9)      United Quarriable Associates Cooperative Society , Ikire, Irewole

   Local Government, Osun State.

(10)                          Osina Community Development Association, Osina, Yala Local Government, Cross River State.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Pius J. Major said that the Micro grants programme  is in line with the Seven point Agenda of the present administration in fighting poverty in the country.

Mr. Major said that the event would spur the confidence of all stakeholders to cooperate with Government in its bid to meet the Millennium Development Coals in the Mining sector.

While responding, the representative of the beneficiaries thanked the Federal Government for the gesture and promised to avail themselves of the opportunity of developing the Mining sector for the betterment of the citizens and the nation at large.

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