The Ondo State House of the Assembly has asked security agencies to work with traditional rulers in addressing illegal mining.
The House speaker, Olamide Oladiji, made the call at plenary on Tuesday following the alleged illegal mining in the Ile-Oluji/ Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Oladiji said that such illegality must stop in the state, adding that illegal mining destroyed people’s property.
He urged the federal government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) saddled with mining to collaborate with the state’s sister MDAs to address the illegality.
The speaker urged the public to give appropriate information on illegal mining to the concerned authorities, saying that information remained key.
Mr Oladiji, therefore, asked the House Committee on Mineral Resources to undertake an on-site assessment and recommend it to the House.
Earlier, Nelson Akinsuroju, representing the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo state l constituency, read a letter from Oba Julius Adetimehin, the Jeun of Ile-Oluji, on illegal miners allegedly destroying farmlands and threatening human lives.
Mr Akinsuroju said the traditional ruler had sought immediate intervention from the state government in addressing illegal mining in the constituency.
He said that illegal miners had no regard for the law and human lives, saying lives were endangered in the area.
Also, Olatunji Ifabiyi, Odigbo 1/APC, said the House should issue a resolution to mandate that the government should be briefed about mining activities in the state.
Also, Omowumi Fayemi, Ilaje 2/APC, implored the House to liaise with the ministry involved with mineral resources at the federal level to address the situation and monitor mining activities in the state.
The House majority leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said miners should also register with the state government.
(NAN)