No Witch Hunting In Our Mining Reforms - Osun Governor

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring fair practices in the state's mining sector, stating that he has no witch hunting agenda against any individual or businesses. Speaking at a stakeholders' forum held today, the governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye, highlighted the ongoing legal and policy challenges within the federal system, particularly in the mining sector, where state, federal, and community rights often clash. He emphasized the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal responsibilities to address complications in the sector even as he commends the regulatory coordination by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals. "We are all aware of the policy and legal complications around our brand of federalism. The struggle to clear these issues is still ongoing, especially within the solid mineral sector," the Governor stated, pointing out the exploitation of legal grey areas by some stakeholders in the business sector to undermine the rights of states and host communities. The Governor outlined the proactive steps taken by his administration to strengthen Osun’s position within the sector through hard but equitable policy actions. "Our administration early in the days launched ambitious mining sector reforms to claim the rights of our state and our host communities. These efforts are yielding positive returns," Governor Adeleke affirmed. He emphasized the revalidation of mining licenses and the recovery of Osun's shares in the Segilola mining project, alongside efforts to ensure the payment of taxes and other financial obligations by mining companies. Governor Adeleke also stressed the state’s push for compensation for environmental damages caused by mining activities, lamenting the health and developmental challenges facing Mining towns and villages. "Our administration revalidated our mining licenses. We reclaimed Osun shares in the Segilola mining project. We are pushing for the payment of taxes and other financial obligations by Segilola and other mining companies. We are pressing for compensation on environmental damages, among others." he stated. Senator Adeleke made it clear that the state’s mining reforms are not about targeting any particular group but ensuring that the rights of all stakeholders, including businesses, host communities, and the state government, are respected. "Our main preoccupation is to block any exploitation and cheating of our people," he said. We desire that our people and state should feel the impact of their God-given resources." The governor also emphasised Osun’s pro-business stance, saying that while the state supports business development, it will not tolerate attempts to deny the state and its people their rightful share in the mining sector.