Osun State government says mineral resources exploiters and defaulters of environmental standards are to forthwith comply with government’s regulations or face legal action.
A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode also warned natives who are leasing out their farmlands to illegal miners to desist from such acts or face the wrath of the law.
Mrs Egbemode noted that the move was part of governments efforts at sanitizing the mineral resource industry in the state.
Osun State governmemt bemoaned the flagrant abuse of its environment by illegal miners, especially the pollution of the Osun River.
It stated its readiness to launch a full blown war on those who have resisted guidance and have refused to follow approved standards for mining in the state.
It notes that Osun State was the proud host of one of Nigeria’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo through which the sacred Osun river winds.
The statement reiterates Governor Oyetola’s administration committement to the maintainance and promotion of the state as a tourist destination, which is one of its three pillars of economic growth and diversification.
It adds that the state’s policy of inviting responsible commercial mining concerns can be seen in the establishment of Segilola Resources Operating Limited, Nigeria’s 1st commercial gold mine.
It stressed that other mining companies have also been partnered as the government seeks to make Osun State a destination for sustainable investment.
It warned illegal miners to get registered, operate according to international standards and observe safety protocols, or take their business elsewhere.
The statement adds that the state governmemt had commissioned studies into the level of pollution and how to remediate it and has also sought assistance from the federal government as well as development partners, including from the Ecological fund, to remediate the damage.
Abiodun Adeoye
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