By Funmi Ojo
Osun State Governor says it will not tolerate attempt to deny the state and its people their rightful share in the mining sector.
Governor Adeleke stated this at the Solid Minerals Stakeholders, workshop with the theme, Enhanced Internally Generated Revenue and Sustainable Environmental, Friendly Mining in Osun State, at Aisu Ede, Osun State.
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye said his government’s mining reforms are not about targeting any particular group but ensuring that the rights of all stakeholders, including businesses, host communities, and the state government are respected.
“Our main preoccupation is to block any exploitation and cheating of our people,” he said. We desire that our people and state should feel the impact of their God-given resources.”
While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring fair practices in the state’s mining sector, Governor Adeleke emphasized the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal responsibilities to address complications in the sector just as he commends the regulatory coordination by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals.
In a paper presentation on “Devastating Effects of Illegal Mining” a Professor of Geology, University of Ibadan, Adeniyi Gbadegesin explained that though mining of mineral resources has contributed to National GDP, however, it has led to deforestation, contaminated water and environment which affects human and animal habitat.
Professor Gbadegesin urged the federal government to make policies to regulate mining activities especially by the illegal Miners.
In his remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Mining and Mineral Matters, Professor Lukman Adekilekun-Jimoda explained that the workshop aims to form a synergy between state government and stakeholders in the mining in order to increase the state Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and ensure Sustainable Environment.
Professor Adekilekun-Jimoda said the government has taken proactive steps to strengthen Osun’s position within mining sector through hard but equitable policy actions.
