The Osun State Government has declared its intention to tackle issues relating to environmental degradation in the state.
The State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke, made this known on Monday at the inauguration of a committee set up to manage the solid mineral sector of the state.
Adeleke who noted that the work of the committee had been cut out for it, bearing in mind the environmental impact of mining in the state, charged its members to hit the ground running.
“The mandate of your committee therefore includes among others to recover all monies due to Osun state from mining companies based on derivation platform and pollution cleaning fund.
“You are to also take inventory of Osun mining and quarry licences and ensure recovery of any licence already converted into private hands.
“And lastly, you are expected to proffer workable solution to addressing the challenges facing the mining sector as related to polluting our environment and rivers.”
The Governor said though the solid mineral sector represented the heart and soul of the state economy, the minerals therein must be exploited sustainably.
He said the present generation must be accountable to the coming ones by being responsible in its use of the environment and its gifts.
He noted with dismay the pollution of the sacred Osun river and reiterated his administration’s commitment to reversing the trend.
While lamenting the menace and consequences of illegal mining on the gold fields of Osun state, Governor Adeleke ordered such activities to stop forthwith.
He said: “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. These are sad realities which none of the mining companies has raised a finger to address.
“My administration will insist on the companies paying for the cleaning up of our rivers and environment,” the Governor maintained.
Revenue committee
In a similar development, Governor Adeleke also inaugurated a revenue committee to block all revenue leakages and introduce new ideas of revenue generation for the state.
He said the inauguration of the revenue committee became necessary as a result of mounting cost of governance and loss of revenue through various undetected sources.
Both committees were inaugurated in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
Emmanuel Ukoh
