Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has revealed that illegal mining activities have caused the state to lose billions of Naira. During an unscheduled visit to the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, Governor Adeleke spoke about the Ilesa Water Project. The Governor expressed how the previous administration had mismanaged it. The mismanagement led to over 12 billion Naira being spent with no tangible result.
He also alleged that the past administration had encouraged illegal mining activities in the state, leading to severe environmental degradation, water pollution, and loss of income. Governor Adeleke stated that the situation denied the state the much-needed income from mining activities. There was loss of several billions of Naira.
The New Osun State Governor
On assumption of office in November 2022, Governor Adeleke seized the gold mining licence issued to mining companies in the state. He suspended the consultant handling the Ilesa Water Works Project. The Osun APC alleged that Adeleke illegally discontinued the Ilesa Water Works Project worth $106 million.
Governor Adeleke has set up a committee to review the activities of the illegal miners. He is going through their report to issue strategies that his administration will use to tackle the water and environmental pollution brought about by mining activities. Also, the state wil re-advertise the contract for the Ilesa Water Project . There will be an out-of-court settlement with all stakeholders involved in the project.
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