TheCable

Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, has ordered the immediate suspension of all mining activities by firms operating on the state’s mining licences. 

Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Ademola Adeleke, the Osun governor, announced the development in a statement on Wednesday.

Rasheed said the affected operators are to report to the state’s assets recovery committee with copies of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the state.

“In furtherance of his bid to reform the state’s Solid Mineral Sector, Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed immediate suspension of all mining firms operating the state’s mining licences,” the statement reads.

“All operators are to report to the Committee on Assets Verification and Recovery chaired by Dr B.T Salami with copies of their Memorandum of Understanding which governs their relationship with the state government.

‘The suspension of the operators is to remain in force until the conclusion of the ongoing review of the MOU between the state as the owner of the licences and the operators.

“All operators are to report to the committee on Monday by 12 pm.”

Checks by TheCable revealed that Osun has 100 mineral titles, of which six belong to the state government.

On Monday, while inaugurating a committee to monitor and regulate mining activities in Osun, Adeleke decried the death of residents from the adverse effects of illegal mining activities in the state.

The governor had also said he would ensure that mining companies pay for the cleaning up of the state’s rivers and environment.