- Declares War On Illegal Miners
Kazeem Badmus
AFTER several complaints and reports, the State Government of Osun has commissioned studies on the level of pollution of Osun River and how to remediate it.
The government has also said it was ready to launch a full blown war on illegal miners and those who have resisted guidance and refused to follow approved standards for mining in Osun.
According to reports, the illegal mining activities going on in Ijesaland is responsible for the pollution of Osun River.
But the government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, on Wednesday, said it was ready to address the pollution, seeking the assistance from the Federal Government as well as development partners to remediate the damage.
The government also read the riot act to mineral resources exploiters and defaulters of environmental standards in the state to forthwith comply with the government’s regulations or face legal action.
According to Egbemode, the state government has deployed its limited enforcement resources to curbing illegal and informal mining to arrest the despoliation of Osun land and pollution of Osun rivers.
The statement reads in part: “Osun is the proud host of one of Nigeria’s UNESCO World Heritage sites that is the Sacred Grove in Osogbo through which the sacred Osun river winds.
“The state government’s mining blueprint has sought through a combination of enforcement and formalisation via registration and capacity development of artisanal miners, to mitigate the degradation caused by mining.
“While these achievements present the state’s proactive policies designed to change the mining landscape, the state continues to deal with the scourge of illicit and irresponsible mining that is causing the pollution of the Osun river.
“Governor Oyetola has since deployed its limited enforcement resources to curbing illegal and informal mining to arrest the despoliation of our land and pollution of our rivers. To date, the enforcement actions have led to the arrests of several individuals for illicit mining, seizures and site closures.
“In addition to the enforcement activities, the state has commissioned studies on the level of pollution and how to remediate it and also sought assistance from the Federal Government as well as Development partners, including from the Ecological fund, to remediate the damage.
“Osun will continue its enforcement and its efforts to remediate. However, Osun’s scope for action is constrained by constitutional limits where Federal Government exercises exclusive jurisdiction over mining. The government therefore welcomes the international community as it lends it voice to the scourge of pollution on our most prized heritage.
“We hope that by coming to Osun and shining the spotlight on this problem, they bring with them the support the state and the affected communities have been advocating for to remedy this.
“Osun State Government is worried and deeply concerned about the flagrant abuse of its environment by illegal miners who are daily degrading and polluting the Osun River.
“In spite of efforts to curb the excesses of these fly-by-night business men, they have consistently resisted guidance and refused to follow approved standards for mining in Osun.
“It has therefore become imperative to serve them the last warning here and now. The state will no longer fold its hands while these miners (both legal and illegal) throw caution to the winds and ruin one of our heritage sites.
“Osun River is not just a geographical landmark. It is one of the few accredited UNESCO sites in Nigeria. It is our heritage; one we will do everything to protect and preserve.
“Illegal Miners are therefore served a notice to shape in or ship out. If they cannot operate within the ambits of World Standards and observe safety protocols, they may have to take their business elsewhere.”
The government warned natives leasing out their farmlands to illegal miners to desist from such acts or face the law.
