Governor Ademola Adeleke says his administration will ensure mining and gold companies pay their debts to Osun.

Mr Adeleke disclosed this on the sideline of the inauguration of the solid mineral sector committee in Osogbo.

He said Osun had no record of any payment made by Segilola and other mining companies.

The governor on Monday, in a press statement through the secretary to the state government, Teslim Igbalaye, appointed Sola Adewumi as the chairman of the revenue committee and Samuel Ojedokun as chairman of the solid minerals committee.

“Osun, according to extant laws, is entitled to 13 per cent derivation from every ounce of gold extracted from our gold and other solid mineral fields. Segilola and other operating companies are expected by law to pay 13 per cent derivation on the value of gold and other solid minerals produced in the last 25 years,” the governor said.

The governor noted that the state had been subjected to intense environmental degradation from mining companies’ activities.

“River Osun has been polluted, and our people are dying, as related sicknesses are spreading. These are sad realities which none of the mining companies has raised a finger to address,” stated Mr Adeleke. “My administration will insist on the companies paying for the cleaning up of our rivers and environment.”

He explained that his administration would ensure that cleaning up the environment is a continuous exercise and mining companies would bear the cost.

The Osun governor added, “All state mining licences already diverted to private possession must be fully recovered, and illegal mining activities stopped. Also, illegal mining syndicates will be arrested and prosecuted.”

(NAN)