Stakeholders in Osun State Mining Sector has been urged to collaborate with the government for the State to fully reap the enormous economic benefits embedded in the sector.
These were the outcome of a meeting between stakeholders in the state mining sector and the Revenue Mobilization And Fiscal Commission(RAMFAC) who are in the State on a nationwide monitoring of revenue collections and activities of miners at the state and local government levels.
Speakers at the meeting which is a foundation to the State wide tour of mining sites by RAMFAC officials pointed out that it is unfortunate that the State of Osun is not fully reaping the benefits of the mining sector which is among the largest in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the State Government, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mineral Resources, Hon. Wahab Oyeniyi decried the activities of artisan miners which he described as very unfortunate.
He said the State must at all cost look for a means whereby the state will take full charge of the economic benefits of the mining sector, stressing that it will go a long way in helping the State to grow it’s economy.
While noting that the State has enormous deposit of Gold and other solid Minerals, Hon. Oyeniyi opined that the Osun mining sector alone has the capacity to drive the economic fortunes of the State to the next level.
In his address, the RAMFAC Commissioner for the State, Hon. Gboyega Oladele who described the State as a gold mining hub said if the sector is fully harnessed, it is capable of providing jobs for thousands of youths. He however condemned in strong terms the activities of illegal miners, which according to him should be checkmated.
He also observed the urgent need for the state government to fashion out ways to reclaim the degraded land and possible cost of land reclamation because of the present and yet unborn generations.
The Osun RAMFAC commissioner appreciated the warm reception accorded him and team of top officials of the agency from Abuja.
In a remark, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Adebimpe Ogunlumade stressed on the need for both the Federal and State Governments to take decisive action for the State take full advantage of the solid mineral deposit in the Osun.
The RAMFAC team while in the State are expected to visit all the mining sites.
