Ondo community raises alarm over illegal mining activities, as Senate Okays Jimoh Ibrahim-sponsored Bitumen Commission Establishment bill
Business/Economy
Odigbo, Ondo – Residents of Ogunlepa community in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised the alarm over the influx of illegal miners in their neighbourhood.
This is coming barely two months after five illegal miners reportedly operating in Ilu-Agbo, at River Oluwa, in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state were apprehended by a combined team of security agencies.
The residents, who are mostly local farmers in the agrarian community, complained that the unwholesome activities of the illegal miners were causing environmental degradation and damage to their farmland and crops.
According to them, the presence of the illegal miners, who are mostly non-indigenes of the community, was also capable of jeopardising the security situation of the commune and contributing to local conflicts.
In a Save Our Soul message obtained by The Nation on Wednesday, a farmer and spokesperson for the community, Ayodele Akande, lamented that the activities of the illegal miners are looming disasters that threaten lives, properties and means of livelihoods of the locals.
Mr Akande revealed that numerous farmlands have been destroyed due to the exploitations being carried out by the illegal miners, stressing that the allegation by youths in the community exposing some elders’ involvement in the act is also under threat.
“The ongoing illegal mining in Ogunlepa has damaged our farmlands and roads and continues to obstruct our business activities.
“Please help us stop this cruelty. We want to live in peace and enjoy our natural resources without suffering the consequences of exploitation,” he said.
Reacting, the Chairman of Odigbo LGA, Taiwo Adegoroye, frowned at the activities of the illegal miners in the area, saying several warnings issued by the government were ignored by the invaders.
Adegoroye, who visited the Ogunlepa community in the company of top officials of the council area to assess the level of damages and devastating effects of illegal mining on farmlands, declared a total war on illicit exploitation across the council area.
Assuring the locals of immediate government intervention, the council stressed that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would not watch while illegal miners destroy the environment and disrupt the livelihoods of the people, mostly at the grassroots.
He, however, promised to work with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to put a stop to the menace in the council area.
“Henceforth, we will not tolerate illegal mining activities in Odigbo Local Government. We are committed to protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of our residents,” the chairman said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the bill for the establishment of the Bitumen Development Commission of Nigeria, in a major move aimed at diversifying the country’s economy and harnessing its vast natural resources.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South Senatorial District.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Bitumen Development Commission of Nigeria and Provide a Legal Framework for the Promotion of Research, Study, Investment, Exploration, Production, Exportation, Development, and Utilization of Locally Sourced Bitumen in Nigeria, and for Related Matters, 2025 (SB.07)”, the legislation was passed after a detailed consideration of the report presented by Senator Diket Plang, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development.
The bill scaled third reading after undergoing clause-by-clause scrutiny in the Committee of the Whole, during which all 27 clauses, including the interpretation section, short title, schedule, and explanatory memorandum, were unanimously adopted by lawmakers.
In supporting the bill, Senator Mametai Mokuno of Oron-Tsenetora Senatorial District hailed the legislation as key to driving Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
“This bill is in line with the government’s renewed commitment to diversify our monolithic oil-dependent economy. Nigeria has significant untapped bitumen reserves valued between $13 billion and $42 billion. If properly harnessed, these reserves will generate revenue, boost foreign reserves, create jobs, and enhance national infrastructure,” Mokuno stated.
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has long championed the development of Nigeria’s bitumen sector, especially given the strategic importance of the resource to his home state of Ondo, which is known to hold some of the largest bitumen deposits in Africa.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the sponsor and the entire Senate for their commitment, and expressed confidence that the Bitumen Development Commission would play a transformative role in the country’s economic future.
“Let me thank Senator Jimoh Ibrahim for sponsoring this landmark bill and the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development for their diligent work. This Commission will reduce pressure on our foreign exchange, promote domestic industrialization, and unlock massive employment opportunities,” Akpabio said.
