The Oyo State Government has promised to fully enforce an executive order signed by Governor Seyi Makinde banning illegal mining in the state.
The Director General, Oyo State Mineral Development Agency, Abiodun Oni, who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum on Wednesday, said illegal mining had caused the state untold damage to the environment and had jeopardised the health and livelihoods of the people of the state.
“This administration will no longer tolerate any form of illegal mining in the state and today’s consultative forum will focus on Executive Order 001/2023, which majors on the protection of mining communities in Oyo State.” Oni declared.
Speaking Further, he said Government do not benefit from this act adding that it is imperative for the government to take responsibility and for kings and baales to be involved by signing consent letters.”
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, Anthony Ogunsola, pointed out that many of the current challenges were due to the infiltration of unknown individuals into communities, leading to insecurity, kidnapping, robbery, killings, among other social vices.
He, therefore, urged the kings and baales to assist the government in curbing the activities of illegal miners in the State.
