The Oyo State Government has commenced the sealing of quarry sites that are operating without necessary documents to validate their operations in the state.
The officers of the Oyo state Mineral Development Agency on Tuesday Swung into action as they went a tour of some quarry Sites in Ibadan the state Capital.
Sequel to the Executives order 00012023 signed by Governor Seyi Makinde recently to protect Mineralized Communities against insecurity and illegal mining, the officers of the Oyo state Mineral Development Agency took the bull by the horns to ensure that quarry business is run within the purview of the state government.
The officers visited some quarry sites along the Lagos Ibadan express way and their first port of call was Sequal quarry.
The business of the day was at its peak as trucks were sited loading stones and sand from the quarry tite.
All efforts by the officers of the Oyo State Mineral Development Agency to persuade the operation manager to present the requested documents was abortive as he failed to present the documents despite been served a week notice prior to the visit.
The same scenario was experienced at Eminent quarry, Ibadan where the operation manager also failed to present the papers requested by the officers of the Oyo State Mineral Development Agency
The two quarries were eventually sealed off.
The team was also at RCC quarry where they were received by some members of management.
In his response to the request of the visiting team, the Administrative Secretary of the Company, Mr Moshood Alabi, who presented some of the papers demanded, said the company would always comply with the rules and regulations guiding the operation of quarry business in the state, adding that other papers would be presented to the state government as soon as they get them from their Head Office.
Speaking with the BCOS news The Coordinating Director, Oyo State Mineral Development Agency, Mrs Omidiran Olufunke,
said the government would not fold its hands to allow illegal operation of quarries businesses in the state, adding that the mission was basically to seal quarry activities that do not comply with the state rules.
Among the requests of the state government were the letter of consent and Operation Licence.