Osun Lost Billions Of Naira Through Illegal Mining – Adeleke

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke on Friday disclosed that the state has lost billions of Naira that should have been earned as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to illegal miners.

Adeleke alleged that the administration of Gboyega Oyetola wasted resources in the way the Ilesa Water Project was executed.

Naija News learnt that Adeleke stated this as he addressed academic and non-academic staff during an unscheduled visit to the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa.

The Osun State Governor during the visit informed the people of Ijesha about the Ilesa Water Project.

He also spoke on the effect of illegal mining activities in the region under the previous administration in relation to water pollution, environmental degradation and income leakage.

The issue of illegal mining and the upgrade of the College of Education, Ilesa, has been a source of contention between the Adeleke administration and Oyetola’s government.

He said, “The past APC government mismanaged the Ilesa water project with more than 12 billion naira spent so far without any result.

“I have met with the Minister of Water Resources who confirmed to me that the project failed due to fraudulent activities of the contractor. It is also public knowledge that the Consultant for the water project alleged a demand of five million dollars from the state house committee on water resources.

“We have since set up a Joint Committee with the Ministry of Water Resources. The contract will be re-advertised after an out-of-court settlement with all the stakeholders involved in the project.

“The APC government encouraged illegal mining in the state. This has caused serious pollution of our water. The Water Minister confirmed to me that Ilesa underground water source is polluted.

“The state also lost several billions of Naira that should have been earned as IGR if the mining activities were done properly.

“The committee I set up to review the activities of the illegal miners submitted their report yesterday. I am going through it and will soon issue the strategies that my administration will be using to address the water and environmental pollution caused by mining activities.

“I am confident that this will effectively clear the mess caused by the APC administration in Ijesha land.”