The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has disclosed plans to collaborate with the Oyo State Government in commencing an airborne geophysical survey in the state.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, who made this known during a news conference in Ibadan, the state capital, urged residents not to panic or become apprehensive as a result of loud noise of aircraft due to low flying altitude or pattern of movement.
Adegbite, who was represented by the Director of Geophysics Department, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Kaka Imam, explained that the news conference, organised to create public awareness, became necessary in order to forestall misinformation that might cause undue tension in some communities, due to the current security situation in the country.
“Our engagement here is aimed at bringing to your notice and the general public in Oyo State on the commencement of the airborne geophysical survey and to tell all the residents in the state not to panic, either as a result of the loud noise of the aircraft due to the low flying altitude or to the pattern of their movement. This, of course, has become necessary given the current security situation in the country, so that people do not get misinformed and entertain unnecessary fears that may lead to tension in the communities.”
Adegbite asserted that though Oyo State has a difficult terrain the need to penetrate the state and gather geological information that might lead to mineral discoveries has become necessary, adding that the exercise would operate across Akinyele, Lagelu, Egbeda, Ona ara, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South, Ogo Oluwa, Surulere and Oriire, local government areas, among others.
The minister emphasised that the purpose of the survey was to use the latest survey sensors to generate magnetic and radiometric data that would help in potential areas/zones of mineralisation, noting that a passive technique would be used in the process that would not involve sending signals into the ground and therefore remained a very safe aerial survey.
On his part, the Director-General of the Oyo State Mineral Development Agency, Mr Dimeji Ladapo, equally assured that the exercise would pose no hazard to residents, stressing that the effort would in the long run expand the state economy and boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Ladipo noted: “I want to assure the general public that this is something that has to do with the mineral deposit location in the state. It is not about Boko Haram, it’s not about anything, you have nothing to worry about. The exercise is to locate the deposits of our minerals in the state and it’s something that will help the state and the nation in general.”
The activity, scheduled to commence in December 2021, would last for about one year across selected 19 states of the federation.
PIAK
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