Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has begged the Federal Government to allow his administration to revalidate the Mining licence previously given to the State.
Adeleke made the plea when he visited the Director General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Ecl Agency, Engr Obadiah Nkom in his office in Abuja.
InsightMedia recalled that Adeleke had in December last year announced that his administration was suspending the mining activities in Osun State. He later announced setting up of a committee to review the operations of the miners.
According to a statement by Olawale Rasheed, his spokesperson, the governor promised that his administration will ensure all fees are paid.
“I am meeting you today to affirm our administration’s readiness to revalidate our mining licenses. We apologize for the conduct of the previous government. Under my watch, the licenses will be better managed in compliance with relevant laws.
” We also thank the mining authorities for protecting the state mining assets during those transition periods. We appreciate the professionalism of the management of the licensing office. On our part, we will pay the required fees and we will move ahead with a transparent management of the field operations.
” We are however coming back to meet the Federal Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals. Osun has been brutally environmentally violated. Those the Federal Government gave mining licenses to have destroyed the Osun environment. Underground water across the Eastern senatorial district is polluted. Osun deserves a marshal plan to clean up her environment.
“But we are coming to officially provide proof of these environmental crimes. We will partner with the Federal Ministry on how to clean up our environment. There must be accountability”, Governor Adeleke posited.
Responding, the Director General of the Mining Cadastral , Engr Nkom expressed the readiness of his agency to partner with the Osun State Government for the revival of the state’s mining sector.
The Director General who described Osun as an important mining state commended the political will demonstrated by Governor Adeleke, stressing that ” this direct meeting with our agency is unprecedented in federal-state mining relations.
” We are honored and challenged by Your Excellency’s direct meeting with me on this issue of Osun mining licenses. I can assure you that our cooperation is assured. We will work with your team to resolve all outstanding issues”, Engr Nkom pledged.
