Osun Government Dispels Mining Eviction Fears, Clarifies Farmland Activities as Resource Survey
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has moved to allay concerns among farmers in certain parts of the state who feared potential eviction from their lands for mining operations. Responding to what was described as a “Save Our Soul” message from the farming community, the Governor, through a statement issued Thursday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, clarified the nature of activities recently observed on some farmlands.
According to the statement, the presence of individuals and activities on agricultural lands that prompted the farmers’ distress is not linked to any mining displacement plan. Instead, these activities are part of an ongoing, comprehensive solid minerals mapping exercise being conducted across the entire state by the Osun State Solid Minerals Office.
State officials are reportedly visiting various towns and villages as part of this statewide survey. The initiative involves detailed ground work, including soil testing and other assessment procedures, aimed at creating a thorough inventory of Osun State’s solid mineral assets, encompassing both deposits currently being exploited and those yet to be tapped.
Governor Adeleke reportedly sanctioned this mapping exercise as an integral component of his administration’s broader strategy to consolidate and understand the state’s natural resource wealth.
Reassuring the agricultural sector, the Governor reiterated through his spokesperson that there are “no plans whatsoever” to dislodge farmers to facilitate mining activities. The statement encouraged farmers to cooperate with the state officials undertaking the survey, emphasizing that currently, there are no approved mining operations in the specific areas from which the farmers’ protests originated.
Governor Adeleke’s office affirmed his understanding of the crucial role played by the farming community and pledged that no decision detrimental to the interests of farmers or any resident of Osun State would be approved. Farmers in the affected localities were subsequently urged to continue their agricultural activities peacefully.
