Abeokuta — The Ogun State government has ordered that all mining activities in the state be stopped immediately. The order, according to the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, is to give room for proper verification of operational licenses.

Ashiru said the decision became necessary following the high level of environmental degradation caused by indiscriminate mining in the state. To this end, those engaging in mining activities such as quarrying, dredging surface mining of laterite and other mineral resources in the state have been directed to visit the office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta with relevant documents for verification.

He said plans are underway by the government to look into the possibility of dredging major rivers within urban centres to aid free flow of such rivers as the rains begin.