The director-general of the Oyo State Solid Minerals Development Agency, Mr Abiodun Oni, has warned that the state government would no longer tolerate illegal miners and individuals putting the lives of residents at risk through different activities that can degrade the environment.
Oni stated this when the agency inspected the Ibadan Circular Road, where illegal excavation had led to the degradation of the area spanning Egbeda and Lagelu local government areas.
He maintained that the inspection followed an earlier visit by the governor, during which he ordered that such activities should be halted, noting that though the warning had been heeded, the state would not relent in ensuring that the environment is protected.
He lamented that the state government would have to spend huge resources which could be channeled to the development of the state, on fixing the environmental damage caused by the unguided excavation activities.
According to him, the executive order on the security and protection of mining communities is in force in the state and the state government would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring its enforcement despite mining falling under the exclusive legislative list.
He said, “About a few weeks ago, the governor had an inspection around here and discovered the kind of illegal mining activities going on here.
“We found out the kind of environmental degradation happening here. So, we have come today as a follow-up to the inspection he did.
We also had a team from the ministry and agency that came here a few days ago as well, which met with the people causing the havoc here.
“The team warned those people. So, this is just a follow-up to that visitation. So far, so good, the engagement here is yielding some results, because we have travelled about 8.5 km and we have not seen anybody excavating here. ‘’
Also speaking, the vice chairman, Olorunsogo local government, who spoke on behalf of the chairman, Hon. Kazeem Olayanju, said the council had taken several actions, including working with the traditional institution to disseminate information to residents on the incident and why they should stay away from the rock. He added that the government was also working on erecting a barricade to prevent people from the axis.
