In a bid to tackle the growing issue of insecurity arising from illegal mining activities, Oyo State government has established a task force dedicated to monitoring and halting unauthorised mining activities across the 33 local government areas of the state.
The state’s deputy governor, Barr Bayo Lawal disclosed this while speaking on the imperative of the new task force, stressing that it would help drive Governor Seyi Makinde’s determination to secure mining communities from insecurity and exploitation.
He noted that the governor envisioned this in the Executive Order on Protection of Mining Communities against Insecurity and Exploitation, which he signed a few months ago.
Corroborating the deputy governor, the director general, Oyo State Mineral Development Agency, Mr Abiodun Oni, who is the chairman of the new task force named Oyo State Bureau of Mining Compliance, said its establishment was meant to ensure that players in the mining sector observe global best practices and that their activities do not jeopardise the peace and security of the state.
According to him, Makinde’s commitment to preserving the state’s natural resources, protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable economic development cannot be sacrificed on the altar of business gains.
Oni added that Illegal mining had become a major problem in many parts of Nigeria, including Oyo State, causing insecurity, depleting valuable mineral resources and causing severe environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution.
He said: “These unregulated activities also pose serious safety risks to miners and local communities, often lacking proper equipment and safety measures.
“So, the primary mandate of this bureau is to identify, monitor, and halt illegal mining activities throughout the state, aligning with the governor’s broader agenda of fostering economic growth while ensuring the protection and sustainable use of the state’s natural resources.
“The bureau comprises members from various ministries, agencies and departments, including the Ministry of Environment, the mineral development agency and all state security agencies.
“This multi-agency approach is designed to leverage the expertise and resources of different sectors, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated effort to tackle illegal mining.”