By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke has assured the people of Ijesa land that the matter surrounding Ilesa Water Project, illegal mining activities, water pollution, environmental degradation, income leakage among others would soon be put to rest.
Speaking during his visit to Ilesa on Friday, Adeleke said “The past government mismanaged the Ilesa water project with more than 12 billion naira spent so far without any result.
“I have met with the Minister of Water Resources who confirmed to me that the project failed due to fraudulent activities of the contractor. It is also public knowledge that the consultant for the water project alleged a demand of five million dollars from the State House Committee on water resources.
The Governor further informed the Ijesa people on how the past government encouraged illegal mining activities in and around Ijesa land, thereby causing serious environmental degradation and pollution of water in the state, while also denying the state the much needed income from mining activities.
“The previous government encouraged illegal mining in the state. This has caused serious pollution of our water. The Water Minister confirmed to me that Ilesa underground water source is polluted.
“The state also lost several billions of Naira that should have been earned as IGR if the mining activities were done properly”, Governor Adeleke declared.
“The committee I set up to review the activities of the illegal miners submitted their report yesterday. I am going through it and will soon issue the strategies that my administration will be using to address the water and environmental pollution caused by mining activities.
“I am confident that this will effectively clear the mess caused by the previous administration in Ijesha land”, the Governor concluded.
