You’ll pay for polluting Osun rivers, environment — Gov Adeleke tells mining companies

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has said that some residents in the State are losing their lives as a result of the activities of illegal miners in the state.

The Governor made this revelation during the inauguration of the committee which has been charged with the responsibilities of monitoring and regulating the activities of miners in the state.

The Governor on Tuesday, lamented the manner the Osun river has been polluted by mining activities in the State and how it has continued to take residents; lives.

The Governor has vowed to make the miners pay for the sanitation of the rivers and environment of the state.

He added that the sanitation exercise will be a continuous one and the expenses will be on the mining companies.

“Osun state has been subjected to intense environmental degradation arising from activities of mining companies,” Adeleke said.

“River Osun has been polluted and our people are dying as related sicknesses are spreading. These are sad realities which none of the mining companies has raised a finger to address.

“My administration will insist on the companies paying for the cleaning up of our rivers and environment.

“Segilola and other companies operating in our state should take note that cleaning up of our environment is going to be a continuous exercise and the resulting expenditure is to be borne by the companies.

“I will not allow Osun people to continue to be exposed to polluted river water and the state to be so cheated.”

He also revealed that his government will recover all the debts owed by mining companies working in the state.

“Osun state, according to extant laws, is entitled to 13 percent derivation from every ounce of gold extracted from our gold and other solid mineral fields,” he said.

“Segilola and other operating companies are expected by law to pay Osun state 13 percent derivation on the value of gold and other solid minerals produced in the last 25 years.

“Till date, we have no record of any payment made by Segilola and other mining companies to Osun state.

“My administration is determined to recover every penny owed Osun state by companies operating in Osun gold fields.

“For the sake of emphasis, denying Osun state of its legitimate revenue through refusal to pay derivation and polluting our environment with impunity will not continue under my watch. I was elected to protect and serve the economic interest of Osun state and that is one of my priorities.

“All illegal mining activities must stop immediately. Henceforth, all illegal mining syndicates will be arrested and prosecuted.”