By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In a bid to sanitise the state, the Oyo State government has shut down some illegal mining sites in the state.
The Director-General of the Oyo State Mineral Development Agency, Mr Abiodun Oni, confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade.
It was disclosed that the affected mining sites were sealed by officials of the agency because their operators did not obtain operating consent letters and community development agreements from the state government.
Mr Oni explained that the government took this action to restore order by stopping all illegal activities in the mining sector for the good of the state, listing Sequia Mining Industry and Eminent Quarry as the sites closed by the government.
He said prior to this time, the organisation requested consent letters, community development agreements and other relevant documents that legalize the operation of every mining industry in the state.
According to him, the state government is ready to partner with all stakeholders to sanitize the Oyo State mining sector as contained in the Mining Act and all relevant laws.
The DG maintained that the agency will not condone any act of illegality, adding that the Governor has signed an Executive order, which gives the agency the power to seal any mining industries that fail to comply with the rules and regulations guiding the sector.
The coordinating Director of the regulatory body, Mrs Jolade Omidiran, urged miners and all relevant stakeholders to submit their documents to avoid being chased out of business.
