By Iyabo Adebisi
Traditional rulers in Oyo state have declared support for the state government in its fight against illegal mining.
The monarchs made the declaration while addressing journalists at the press conference room of the Governor’s Office shortly after meeting with the governor behind closed doors.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, the monarchs assured that traditional rulers in the state have resolved to deepen their support for the state government in terms of communication and sharing of intelligence in order to curb the menace of illegal mining in the state.
While commiserating with the governor and the people of the state over Bodija explosion, the monarchs lauded the governor for being proactive in his approach to disaster management most especially in the recent explosion that has left some dead and many injured.
Oba Alao added that the traditional rulers swung into action after the incident of the Ibadan explosion and have identified critical areas that require urgent supportive attention.
He listed the identified areas to include security lapse, medical, and humanitarian challenges, noting that Governor Makinde has already put measures in place to address them adequately amd that the monarchs were proud of the governor.
Oba Alao said “We’ve been able to identify three tracks, first is the issue of some security lapses, medical and humanitarian challenges. All these three tracks, the governor has put adequate measures in place to address them.
“Also, he has briefed us how has been working in collaboration with the federal government, to be precise, the president of the Nigeria. And also, the federal government has sent relevant agencies to liaise with the state government in order to mitigate the damage and try as much as possible to do their best to cushion the effects of the explosion.
“On our part, we’ve been able to come up with views with the state government, all of us as traditional rulers across the five geopolitical zones of Oyo state, whereby, we’ve resolved to provide more support for government in terms of communication and sharing of intelligence to curb the issue of illegal mining.
The monarchs are Soun of Ogbomoso, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye Orumoghege III, Olubadan of Ibadan represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola, Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi, Onpetu of Ipetu, Oba Sunday Oyediran, and Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, Akibio of Ilora, Oba Steven Oyeniyi and others.
It would be Governor Seyi Makinde, during an immediate on the spot assessment to the site of the explosion in Ibadan on the night of the blast disclosed to newsmen that the unfortunate incident was due to storage of explosive devices in one of the building by an illegal miner.
