The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on Tuesday announced the indefinite suspension of suspected illegal mining activities taking place in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the University Teaching Hospitals Complex, (OAUTHC) and its environs by extension at Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The suspension is indefinite pending the conclusion of investigations into suspected illegal mining operations within OAU and its surrounding areas.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake made this announcement in his office while playing host to the OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire who was accompanied by the Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC, Prof. John Okeniyi among others in Abuja.
In a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, Alake disclosed that proactive measures is ongoing to ascertain the veracity of the allegations sequel to reports in certain sections of the media about activities of illegal miners with the precincts of the university.
He clarified, “Following the outcry generated by reports of illegal mining or suspicion of nefarious activities by mining operators within OAU, we immediately deployed officials of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and Mines Inspectorate for on-the-spot assessment.
“Preliminary reports that reached me indicated that there were indeed some activities around the premises. The ministry then stopped all activities, whether legal or illegal, for further investigations”.
The Minister further explained that upon summoning some operators discovered to be carrying out illegal activities, they presented some licenses and letters of consent which necessitated further investigations to ascertain its authenticity, hence the imperative of inviting the university authorities for a parley.
The Minister went on to say that after some operators were called in and found to be engaging in illegal activity, they presented some licences and letters of consent, which required more research to confirm their legitimacy. For this reason, it was essential to invite the university administration for a meeting.
“We have a had a very fruitful meeting, and a lot of facts have come out of it. Based on the outcome of the meeting, I announce the indefinite suspension, with immediate effect, all mining activities within the premises of the University, the University teaching hospital and in fact around the area and boundaries of the university, until the conclusion of thorough investigations”, the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the OAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Adebayo Bamire, whom on a work visit concerning the government’s indefinite suspension of mining activities thanked the Minister for the audience and highlighted the university’s capacity to actively participate in exploration, research and across the mining value chain.
He said, “We have some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country.
We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university. If we are able to get that in the university, it will help us, support the university community, the state, and ultimately contribute to the development of the mining sector”.
Emphasizing on the university’s application for an exploration licence, the VC expressed optimism that should it be approved, the University would be able to carry out exploration, discover more about the distribution and quality of mineral resources within the university environs and across the country.
On the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage were Registrar, Kamarudeen Bakare; Head of Department of Geology & Geophysics, Prof. Olatokunbo Alao; Director, Physical Planning, Dr. Anthony Owolabi; Director, Maintenance Services, Engr. Olawuyi Isaac while the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of OAU Teaching Hospital, Prof. John Okeniyi joined the meeting virtually.