Ibadan, Nov 11, 2023
The Oyo State Mineral Development Agency has taken a firm stance against unauthorized mining activities by sealing multiple non-compliant mining sites in the state.
Speaking in Ibadan, the state capital, the Director General (DG) of the agency, Mr Abiodun Oni, emphasized the necessity of this action to restore order and thwart illegal mining operations for the benefit of the state.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, Oni revealed that the decision was made to bring about compliance with the relevant laws governing mining activities within the state.
Mr. Oni expressed that the agency had duly requested for consent letters, community development agreements, and other essential documentation imperative for legitimizing mining operations in the state.
He reiterated that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to sanitize the Oyo State mining sector, as stipulated in the Mining Act and other pertinent laws.
The DG emphasized that the agency will not tolerate any form of illegality, highlighting that the governor has endorsed an Executive Order empowering the agency to seal any mining establishment that fails to adhere to the regulations governing the sector.
Additionally, the coordinating Director of the Agency, Mrs Jolade Omidiran, urged miners and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the submission of their documents before the enforcement team visits their site.
