Illegal mining: OAU denies issuing leases, agreements to miners

The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State has denied claims of issuing mining licences for mining activities on the campus of the institution.

The university also denied that it has entered into any form of lease and agreement in that respect with illegal miners.

The university made this known in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju and obtained by newsmen on Saturday in Osogbo.

Olarewaju revealed that the university upon becoming aware of the illegal mining activities, wrote a formal complaint to the appropriate government authorities.

He also added that the OAU management used the opportunity to inform members of the public that the alleged claims by the illegal miners of having the consent of the institution to mine on its land were false.

The statement reads, “It has come to the knowledge of the University Administration that some individuals, groups, and or companies have made claims that they have the license to carry on mining activities on the University land at Ile-Ife and that they have the consent of the University, in the form of leases and agreements, in that respect.

“While the University has, since becoming aware of the illegal activities of these miners, written a formal complaint to the appropriate government authorities, it is equally important to inform the general public that the claims 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 license 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 a devastating environmental hazard to the University estate and are most embarrassing.”