By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
A traditional ruler in Osun state, the Onikimo of Ikimo-Ijesa, Oba Ojo Babatunde Peter, has cried out to the federal and Osun state governments to urgently wade in and halt mining activities that have been causing environmental degradation in the entire Ijesha land.
The monarch, while fielding questions from The Conclave, explained that mining activities going on in the Ikimo and other parts of Ijesa land have grossly affected the well-being of the residents and environment.
According to the community leader, the miners have consistently been refusing to restore the land back to its normal original place by covering the dug portion saying it is dangerous for motorists and residents in the affected areas
The traditional ruler disclosed that mining activities were taking place on a land located on the major road linking Idoka, Ikimo and Ijana communities which left a deep pit that has made it difficult for commuters to use the road.
His words, “In late 2020, up to early 2021, mining activity was done on the major road linking three communities together, when they finished, they didn’t cover the pit that was dug. Since then, that road has been bad. Vehicle cannot ply the road, people cannot take that route to the farm and it has been extremely horrible for farmers to continue farming in their respective farmland, thereby hampering their source of livelihood.
“To our surprise, another company using the approved license of Sandplex International is currently operating under the same license to mine gold. If that gold mining should continue, it would be of extreme danger to the community “.
Buttressing how detrimental the mining activity could be, the royal father said that the mining site is directly beneath a power line and there shouldn’t be any mining activity in such a location because of the high volatility level.
He added, “The company has channel water to pass under the power line and we know how dangerous this is. It would be worse if they start digging the same portion of land that had been dug previously.
“I am surprised that the government could give approval for mining to take place in such a location. I even reported to the Mining Cadastral Office in Osogbo, an environmental officer came to inspect and said they will look into it but nothing has happened since”.
Oba Peter appealed to the government to take action to nip the issue on the board by coming to the aid of the residents of the areas.
Complaining about the mining activities, a resident of a neighboring community who prayed not to be named, explained that if that particular mining activity should continue, it will affect the power transmission line which has a live wire, saying that can cause a lot of damage.
The resident noted that some illegal mining had been done previously where an electricity pole was affected and the neighboring community Iregun, was yet to have electricity since then.
She also called on the government to urgently take action in the interest of the people, noting that the continuous mining activities has not been of benefit to the locals.
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