A deadly explosion that claimed at least 5 lives and destroyed over 50 houses in Ibadan has prompted the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, to deploy Oyo State’s Mine Inspectorate to investigate the cause.
The ministry’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, issued a statement on behalf of Alake, expressing his condolences to the people of Oyo State and assuring them of the Government’s commitment to prevent such incidents in the future.
Tomori said, “The Federal Government has ordered forensic investigations to determine the real cause of the blast, the explosives type that triggered it and the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident that led to loss of lives and properties.
“He also clarified that the present administration has not issued mining license to any one or entity in Oyo state so far, contrary to some speculations.
“Alake has been working closely with the security agencies to unearth the cause and put mechanisms in place to avert a recurrence. He believes that in sensitive situations like this, the security agencies should be allowed to do their job, as against acting on speculations. That way, the people are better informed, culprits can be brought to book, and concerted efforts can be put in place to avoid a recurrence.”
Tomori also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had constituted an inter-ministerial committee led by Alake to address the insecurity around the nation’s natural resources.
The committee, which held its first meeting last Friday, is tasked with developing a blueprint to effectively and efficiently secure solid minerals, forests, and marine economy, which constitutes Nigeria’s natural resources.
“The committee has been working round the clock to draw up strategies of achieving the presidential mandate. In the coming days, there will be an expanded meeting with heads of security agencies, which will assist the committee in getting the requisite inputs that will guide it in turning in a robust report to the President,” Tomori said.