Urban Alert, a non-governmental organization, has accused both the federal and state governments of neglecting the protection of the Osun River despite making verbal commitments to address its contamination.
According to Urban Alert, the contamination of the 213km Osun River, which serves over 70 communities in Southwest Nigeria, is a significant issue of environmental degradation. The river has been heavily polluted by toxic elements such as mercury, lead, and cyanide due to gold mining activities in Osun State.
In a statement by Anthony Adejuwon, the Team Lead of Urban Alert, the organization demanded the enforcement of relevant environmental laws, including the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act.
Urban Alert highlighted the statements made by the Director-General of NESREA (Nigerian Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency), Professor Alliyu Jauro, who expressed the agency’s readiness to ensure the safety of the Osun River. However, the organization noted that these statements have not been followed by concrete actions, allowing miners to continue polluting water bodies and endangering communities.
The statement also mentioned the promise made by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to address the issue of water pollution and environmental degradation caused by gold miners. However, Urban Alert expressed disappointment that no significant action has been taken by the Osun State Government to protect the affected communities, despite the passage of six months.
Urban Alert called on the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, NESREA, and the Federal Ministry of Environment not to ignore the plight of the affected communities. The organization also advocated for the establishment of a specialized unit or agency in the Osun State Government dedicated to addressing environmental issues related to mining activities.
In conclusion, Urban Alert emphasized the responsibility of society to protect the environment and called for urgent action to reclaim the iconic Osun River and safeguard the well-being of communities affected by water poisoning and land degradation caused by mining activities.