Illegal Mining: Adeleke Disbands Mining JTF, Orders Reconstitution

In his drive to clean up the solid mineral sector in Osun, Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered the immediate disbandment of the state’s Mining Joint Taskforce (JTF).

This was revealed in statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, who said the existing JTF is directed to hand over all government vehicles and documents in their possession to the Solid Minerals Committee.

The Governor as a follow up also issued instruction for the reconstitution of the JTF.

Rasheed in the statement recalled that Governor Adeleke had two weeks ago announced far reaching reform of the solid mineral sector which include stopping unauthorised mining, addressing challenges of mining related environmental degradation and ensuring Osun get her due return from the sector.

The Governor had also set up a Solid Mineral Committee to look into activities of stakeholders within the sector with a view to put an end to revenue leakages, unauthorised appropriation of solid minerals and tackling increasing criminal activities around the mining communities.

” I consequently direct the Chairman of the Solid Mineral Committee to take neccesary steps to ensure seamless transition from the old to the new JTF. The new team when constituted must operate with utmost professionalism with zero tolerance for misconduct”, Governor Adeleke directed.