By Bisola Adeyemo
Stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to set up a
committee that would deal with the pollution of the Osun River occasioned by the mining activities.
They asked the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Steel, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, (NESREA) and
Water Resources, to urgently deal with unethical mining activities in Osun state.
They made the call in a communique after a Twitter Space themed, “The Gold Curse: Poverty, Deforestation & Insecurity In The #osunriver Valley”, organized by Urban Alert, in conjunction with Global Rights.
The mining sector in particular has been characterized by unpleasant stories of environmental degradation and pollution.
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The stakeholders, recognizing that the negative environmental impacts of mining are often touted as the
greatest impediments to growth in host communities, this injustice that is consistently being
done to the environment and the locals living in these communities is often perpetrated by
both the big mining companies as well as artisans and small-scale miners.
The stakeholders observed that illegal gold mining by Chinese nationals in cohorts with local actors has led to so many
problems including pollution, arms proliferation, and desecration of shrines and
traditional landmarks.
“Issues around illegal and unregulated mining is a conversation we must continue to
have as part of a larger conversation on enhancing fiscal justice in Nigeria’s mining sector”.
The stakeholders recommends that the State Governments take the initiative to co-opt key civil society groups and
the impacted communities in looking for lasting solutions to the devastation caused by
mining activities in their states.
“Beneficial owners of the big mining companies in Nigeria should be unveiled and
engaged to facilitate change in mining companies’ approach to mining in the country”.
Speakers at the Space included the Kabiyesi of Atorin-Ijesha, HRM Omololu Toye Afilaka, Mr
Iyanda Sunday Olabamiji, a cocoa farmer in Osun State, Tunrayo Semiloore Egbetunmise, a
traditionalist in Osun State, the President of Women in Mining in Nigeria, Hon. (Engr.) Janet
Adeyemi, the Executive Director of Global Rights, Ms. Abiodun Bayiewu, the Team Lead of
Urban Alert, Mr Anthony Adejuwon, a Senior Lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture,
Ogun State, Dr. Temitope Olaifa, among others.
