By Femi Akinola
Following the report on illegal mining flourishing on the premises of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, the management of the university has denied issuing any lease agreement with illegal miners operating within the school premises.
Last Friday, NatureNews reported that a group of illegal miners were operating close to the stff quaters within the university premises, thereby endangering the lives of the students and staff of the university.
However, few among the miners claimed they had a licence to operate on OAU land.
In a swift reaction to the report, the management of the higher institution of learning explained that the school authority had earlier reported activities of the group of illegal miners on the university land to the appropriate Federal Government agencies to stop the illegal actions of the miners.
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Meanwhile, at weekend, the school authority issued a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olanrewaju, denied that the authority issue any operating licence to any individual, group or company, to operate within OAU premises.
The statement reads: ”While the university has, since becoming aware of the illegal activities of these miners, written a complaint to the appropriate government authorities; it is equally important to inform the general public that the claim of these trespassers are totally false.
”The university therefore wishes to use this medium to inform the general public, especially our alumni and other stakeholders, that the university did not give any consent to any individual, group, company or association to obtain any licence to carry out mining activities on its land.
”Furthermore, the university did not, at any time, sign any agreement with any individual, company or group for the purpose of mining activities on its land.
”We wish to assure the concerned members of the university, stakeholders and members of the general public that the university is taking all lawful steps to stop the activities of these trespassers, which constitute devastating environmental hazrd to the university estate and are more embarrassing.
”We have the assurance of the Fedral authorities that the complain of the university is receiving necessary attention.”
