Gov Abiodun Signs Three Executive Orders In Ogun – [See Details]

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has signed three Executive Orders in the state.

Out of these three, two are aimed at creating two new organizations, while the remaining one prohibits traditional leaders from entering into any agreements or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding land within the state.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abeokuta.

He mentioned the two new organizations as the Ogun State Mineral Resources Development Agency and Ogun State Landscaping and Recreation Agency.

He added that the third Executive Order prohibits traditional leaders from making deals or signing MoUs related to mining or other land issues within their territories.

Akinmade further explained that the Mineral Resources Development Agency will collaborate with the communities around the mineral deposits to conduct surveys on the earth’s crust and geological formations of solid minerals in their areas.

“The second agency is responsible for sustaining the achievement of the Ministry of Environment in the area of environmental regeneration and restoration and through the provision of parks, gardens and recreational centres state-wide to preserve the biodiversity and ecosystem of the environment,” he added.

According to the governor’s aide, the three executive orders take immediate effect.

“Executive Order One is based on Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which vests in the governor the exercise of executive powers of the state for the purpose of effective governance.

“The agency shall, directly or through qualified third parties, conduct and establish a working relationship with host communities and local governments for the conduct of geotechnical and geological surveys of solid mineral deposits within their domain.

“It will conduct geotechnical survey of solid mineral deposits in the state and maintain relevant data in the sector, (and) organise the solid minerals sector to the best interest of the state.

“To realise its objectives, the agency shall be funded through fees generated from the regulatory agency, budgetary allocation, grants and financial intervention from both local and international development partners, as well as gifts, aid and other legitimate contributions,” the government official explained.

Akinmade said Executive Order Two was based on the Ministry of Environment starting a massive and aggressive tree-planting campaign to complement the beautification and landscaping programmes.

The statement added: ‘This is to ensure an environmentally sustainable, healthier and beautiful society, and the agency shall administer, maintain and manage all designated parks and recreation centres in the state.

“For the purpose of realising its objectives, it shall be funded through budgetary allocation or monies received for services rendered, grants and financial intervention from both local and international development partners, as well as gifts, aids and other legitimate contributions.

“The State has observed the current trend in which miners and investors circumvent regulations and government oversight by encouraging traditional institutions to interfere with land management by entering into MoUs and other irregular legal arrangements.

“Therefore, all forms of traditional institutions existing within the state are hereby, with immediate effect, barred from entering into any form of MoU or agreement with any individual, company or organisation seeking land within any part of the entire state for purposes of mining or industry.

”They are to forthwith refrain from issuing any form of consent letters for mining across the state.

“Any traditional institution or stakeholder in the institution who flouts this order shall be sanctioned in line with the provisions of the Kings and Chiefs’ Law and other relevant criminal statutes.”