No witch-hunting in Osun mining reforms, says Governor Adeleke

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring fair practices in the state’s mining sector, emphasising that he has no witch-hunting agenda against any individual or businesses but is ensuring that the rights of all stakeholders, including businesses, host communities, and the state government, are respected.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum held today, Adeleke, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye, highlighted the ongoing legal and policy challenges within the federal system, particularly in the mining sector, where state, federal, and community rights often clash.

The Governor, in a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed stressed the importance of defining clear boundaries between state and federal responsibilities to resolve complications in the mining sector, commending the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals for their regulatory efforts in coordinating the sector.

He said, “We are all aware of the policy and legal complications around our brand of federalism. The struggle to clear these issues is still ongoing, especially within the solid mineral sector.”

Adeleke who pointed out the exploitation of legal grey areas by some stakeholders in the business sector to undermine the rights of states and host communities outlined the proactive steps taken by his administration to strengthen Osun’s position within the sector through hard but equitable policy actions.

He emphasized the revalidation of mining licenses and the recovery of Osun’s shares in the Segilola mining project, alongside efforts to ensure the payment of taxes and other financial obligations by mining companies.

Governor Adeleke also stressed the state’s push for compensation for environmental damages caused by mining activities, lamenting the health and developmental challenges facing Mining towns and villages.

“Our administration revalidated our mining licenses. We reclaimed Osun shares in the Segilola mining project. We are pushing for the payment of taxes and other financial obligations by Segilola and other mining companies. We are pressing for compensation on environmental damages, among others.

“Our main preoccupation is to block any exploitation and cheating of our people, We desire that our people and state should feel the impact of their God-given resources.”