The State of Osun House of Assembly has vowed to protect the interest of her citizens residing in the mining areas of Atakumosa east, Ijesaland area of the state.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Timothy Owoeye disclosed this during the plenary where a mining company, Segilola Resources Operating Limited’s, stakeholders in mining industry and affected communities appeared at the floor of House of Assembly Complex Osogbo.
Hon. Owoeye appealed to the mining company to come up with a good compensation plan for the host communities. He also noted that infrastructural facilities should be put in place to cushion the effect that environmental pollution ( air, land and water) could pose on the host communities.
Hon. Owoeye gave an assurance that the House would soon come out with bye laws that would attract and encourage more investors in the state and urged Segilola resources operating limited to always carry the House of Assembly along in their activities.
In his own remarks, the Deputy chief of staff to Governor Gboyega oyetola, Hon Abdulahi Binuyo, said the Federal Ministry of Mines and steel exclude the state from the agreement of engagement and mining laws that has secured the mining licence for Segilola whereas the state bears the brunt whenever there is any social problem at the mining site. He added that the government is leaving no stone unturned to resolve pending issues on mining of minerals resources with Segilola resources operating limited.
Hon Binuyo further advised Segilola resources operating limited to make the best use of emotional intelligence in dealing with their host communities to ensure a friendly environment while effort to make necessary amendments through the House of Assembly’s enactment kicks off in no distance time.
The representatives of Segilola resources operating limited, Mrs. Saka Amoda (Community Development and Stakeholder Manager) and Mr Austin(Resources Manager ) said the company has impacted positively on the life of the people of the Atakumosa east (Iperindo, Odo ijesa,Ogbara etc.) especially during the covid-19 pandemic and also have plans for the people of their host communities inline with the laws and standards of government.
However, High Chief Jacob Olu Ilori the Onisa of Odo ijesa on behalf of the host communities dissociated themselves from everything the representatives of Segilola has said in terms of compensation adding that they did not carry the communities along in their activities, he then call on government to come to their aid and save the communities from miners.
