Ibadan Explosion: Senator Ekong Sampson Commiserates with Oyo State Government ...promises stricter legislative measures against illegal mining

 

By Samuel Udoma 

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Ekong Sampson has commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State over the recent explosion that rocked Ibadan, which led to the loss of lives and property.

At least two persons have been confirmed dead and over 70 injured from the explosion which took place in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State, earlier in the week

While investigations are still on, to ascertain the true cause of the explosion, which sent shock waves across the Oyo State capital, there are widespread reports that the nature of the explosion appeared like the ones caused by craters and earth crusting dynamites, used in mining, illegally stored in one of the affected buildings.

Speaking to newsmen at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, shortly after receiving the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Ekong Sampson said that the Bodija explosion was most unfortunate. He said that the incident clearly shows the harm which illegal mining is causing not just the Nigerian economy, but the safety of lives and property.

Senator Sampson said that the Nigerian Senate will ensure stricter control against illegal mining. He lamented that  some Nigerians were collaborating with some foreign elements to rip Nigeria off, through illegal mining as well as fuelling insecurity in parts of the country.

"As the Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, I feel particularly disturbed over the Bodija explosion. My heart goes out to Gov. Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Government and the families of those who lost their lives or were injured in the unfortunate incident. I also commiserate with those who lost their hard earned property to the impact of the explosion.

The Senator, a former Commissioner for Environment and Petroleum Resources in Akwa Ibom State, said that his Committee will work with relevant agencies, including the security operatives to clamp down, through enabling laws and regulations, on individuals and companies involved in illegal and unsupervised mining.

He praised Governor Makinde and security operatives for speedily identifying those behind the dastardly act, and called on the security agencies to intensify and broaden their investigation into the incident.