Oyo Seals Illegal Mining Sites

Oyo State Mineral Development Agency has sealed some mining sites, operating without consent letters and community development agreements in the state.

The agency’s director general, Mr Abiodun Oni, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen shortly after the exercise in Ibadan, stated that the decision was to restore order by stopping all illegal activities in the mining sector for the good of the state.

He said prior to this time, the agency had requested for the consent letters, community development agreement and other relevant documents that legalize the operation of every mining industry in the state.

Oni stated further that the state government under the leadership of governor Seyi Makinde was ready to partner with all stakeholders to sanitize Oyo State mining sector as contained in the Mining Act and all relevant Laws.

He said this was the reason for the verification of the relevant documents by the Oyo State government.

The DG maintained that the agency would not condone any act of illegality, adding that the governor had signed an Executive Order, which gives the agency the power to seal any mining industries that fail to comply with the rules and regulations guiding the sector.

The coordinating director of the agency, Mrs Jolade Omidiran urged miners and all relevant stakeholders to submit their documents before the enforcement team gets to their site.