Adeleke: No Witch-hunt in our Mining Reforms

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo 

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 had no agenda to witch-hunt any individual or businesses.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum, yesterday, 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 emphasised the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal responsibilities to address complications in the sector even as he commended 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.

He pointed out the exploitation of legal grey areas by some stakeholders in the business sector to undermine the rights of states and host communities.

Also, 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 emphasised 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.