Illegal mining: Ondo Assembly asks security operatives to work with traditional rulers
The Ondo State House of the Assembly has asked security agencies in the state to work with traditional rulers in addressing illegal mining across the state.
The Speaker of the House, Chief Olamide Oladiji made the call at plenary on Tuesday, on alleged illegal mining in Ile-Oluji/ Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of the state.
Oladiji said that such illegality must stop in the state, adding that illegal mining
destroyed people’s property.
He urged Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) saddled with mining to collaborate with the state sister MDAs to address the illegality.
The speaker urged the public to give appropriate information on illegal mining to the concerned authorities, saying that information remained key.
Oladiji, therefore, asked the House Committee on Mineral Resources to undertake an on-sight assessment and recommend to the house.
Earlier, Mr Nelson Akinsuroju representing Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo state constituency, read a letter from Oba Julius Adetimehin, the Jeun of Ile-Oluji on illegal miners allegedly destroying people’s farmlands and property, adding that their activities were a threat to human lives.
Akinsuroju said the traditional ruler had sought immediate intervention of the state government in addressing illegal mining in the constituency.
He said that illegal miners had no regards for law and human lives, saying that lives were endangered in the area.
Also, Mr Olatunji Ifabiyi, Odigbo 1/APC, said the house should issue a resolution to mandate that the government should be briefed about mining activities in the state.
Also, Mrs Omowumi Fayemi , Ilaje 2/APC, implored the house to liaise with the ministry involved with mineral resources at the Federal level to address the situation and monitor mining activities in the state.
She said there are rules and regulations in the state , curtailing activities of miners.
The Majority Leader of the house, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said that mining activities should also register with the state government.
