Oyo State Government Warns Against Illegal Mining, Vows to Protect Environment

The Oyo State Government has emphasized its commitment to protecting the environment and preventing illegal mining activities. Director-General of the Oyo State Solid Mineral Development Agency, Mr. Abiodun Oni, led an agency inspection team to the Ibadan Circular Road, where illegal excavation had led to environmental degradation. Oni warned that the government would not relent in enforcing laws to protect the environment, citing the Environmental Security and Protection of Mining Communities Executive Order signed by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2023. The DG also visited Igbeti in Olorunsogo local government area, where a rock weathering incident occurred, and reassured residents that the government was on top of the situation.

Key Takeaways:

• The Oyo State Government will continue to enforce laws against illegal mining and environmental degradation.
• The Executive Order on Security and Protection of Mining Communities, signed by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2023, is still in force.
• The Oyo State Solid Mineral Development Agency has taken steps to stop illegal mining activities in the Ibadan Circular Road area.
• The government is working to erect a barricade to prevent people from approaching the rock in Igbeti.
• Environmental authorities in Olorunsogo LGA have taken actions to disseminate information to residents on the need to stay away from the rock.
• Oba (Engr) Bashir Abioye, the Onigbeti of Igbetiland, has tasked a team of experts to evaluate the situation and temporarily stopped activities around the rock.

Statistics:

• The Oyo State Government has spent huge resources in the past to fix environmental damage caused by unguided excavation activities.
• The government has coordinated local authorities, including local government and traditional institutions, on necessary actions in Igbeti.
• There have been no reported casualties in the Igbeti rock weathering incident.
• The rock weathering incident in Igbeti occurred after an initial incident last year.

Sources:

• Interview with Mr. Abiodun Oni, Director-General of Oyo State Solid Mineral Development Agency, Oyo State.
• Governor Seyi Makinde's Executive Order on the Security and Protection of Mining Communities, Oyo State (2023).
• Olorunsogo LGA Vice Chairman, Hon. Kazeem Olayanju, as quoted in an interview by an Oyo State Government source.
• Speech by Oba (Engr) Bashir Abioye, the Onigbeti of Igbetiland.