Michael Ofulue Osogbo

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The Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke has charged the security agencies to with a matter of urgency arrest and prosecute all illegal miners operating in the State

To this end the Governor ordered and directed the immediate suspension of all illegal mining activities going on in the state

Adeleke who also warned that all illegal mining syndicates should be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law of the land hinted that hard times awaits those who will henceforth disobeyed his directives.

The Governor spoke while inauguration of members of Solid minerals committed saddled with the responsibility of recovering 13 percent derivation funds which is expected to be accruing to the State in the last 25years

His words *For the sake of emphasis, denying Osun State of its Legitimate Revenue through refusal to pay derivation, and polluting our environment with impunity will not continue under my watch.

” I was elected to protect and serve the economic interest of Osun state and that is one of my priorities. My administration is conducting an audit of Osun assets in the mining sector. All state mining licences already diverted to private possession must be fully recovered.

The companies company operating in the state are expected by law to pay Osun state 13 percent derivation on the value of gold and other solid minerals produced in the last 25 years. Till date, we have no record of any payment made by companies

“My administration is determined to recover every penny owed Osun state by companies operating in Osun gold fields.

According to him the is entitled to 13 percent derivation from every gold extracted from our gold and other solid mineral fields.

He stated that all companies operating in the state are expected by law to pay Osun state 13 percent derivation on the value of gold and other solid minerals produced in the last 25 years. Till date, we have no record of any payment made by companies

My administration is determined to recover every penny owed Osun state by companies operating in Osun gold fields.

Osun state has been subjected to intense environmental degradation arising from activities of mining companies. River Osun has been polluted and our people are dying as related sicknesses are spreading.

*My administration will insist on the companies paying for the cleaning up of our rivers and environment companies operating in our state should take note that cleaning up of our environment is going to be a continous exercise and the resulting expenditure is to be borne by the companies.

“I will not allow Osun people to continue to be exposed to polluted river water and the state to be so cheated.” he stated

According to the Governor the mandate of the committee includes among others : To recover all monies due to Osun state from mining companies based on derivation platform and pollution cleaning fund.

“To take inventory of Osun mining and quarry licences and ensure recovery of any licence already converted into private hands and lastly, to proffer workable solution to addressing the challenges facing the mining sector as related to polluting our environment and rivers.