Village given green light to mine

A HARD-to-access village in Northern has been given the green light by the provincial government to begin an alluvial mining operation.
Deputy provincial administrator Joseph Mokada hailed the initiative as a step forward in delivering basic services to Kairi village.
“The village is in Ioma, Sohe, about 1.5 miles from the town.
“(It has less) than 1,500 people,” he said.
“It has no roads, schools, or health centres.
“ So we want to make it a hotspot for development (through) this mining project which can attract investors to fund development.”
Mokada said a road to the village was a priority.
“Villagers have to walk for hours to reach the nearest outstation,” he said.
“We hope that the alluvial mining (project will be) a catalyst (for development).”
“We endorsed their project (when) they presented their development plans, with investors identified.
“We will have compliance meetings and allow them to proceed with the project.”
The project has been approved by the Government through its small-medium enterprise programme.
“We (also) intend to revive cooperative societies in the province which can help people sustain themselves,” Mokada said.
Project leader Ambrose Bovoja said they were drafting a development plan to present to the provincial government.
“This is a joint effort by the villagers through negotiations.”