Gov. Adeleke denies alleged plot to evict farmers for miners

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Osun governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed fears that he was planning to take over lands in some communities in the state from farmers for mining activities.

The Governor said this in a statement issued in response to the save our soul message from farmers in some parts of the state alleging that the state government has concluded plans to take over their land for mining activities.

The farmers raised the alarm following the deployment of some Osun state government officials to towns and villages in the state for solid minerals survey and soil testing among others.

But Governor Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Thursday, said the activities seen on some farmlands are part of the ongoing mapping of the entire state by the state’s solid minerals office.

According to the statement, state officials are moving around various towns and villages to implement the state wide solid minerals survey which involves soil testing among others.

The initiative is to avail the state government of assets in various sectors, assuring that the governor approved the exercise as part of his integrated efforts to consolidate exploited or unexploited resources of the state.

“His Excellency reassures the farming community that there is no plan to evict farmers for mining activities. If you see people around, it is part of a statewide ongoing survey of state assets. We encourage cooperation with state officials especially as there is no approved mining activities in the areas of protest.

“Our Governor understands the importance of the farming community and would not approve any decision that may be injurious to farmers or any resident or citizen of Osun state. Our farmers in the affected areas are therefore enjoined to peacefully continue their farm activities”, the statement quoted the Governor as reassuring the farmers,” Olawale assured in the statement.