Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has enacted three Executive Orders to create two new agencies focused on mining and landscaping activities in the state. The new entities are the Ogun State Mineral Resources Development Agency and the Ogun State Landscaping and Recreation Agency.

Through these executive orders, Governor Abiodun has prohibited traditional rulers from entering into any agreements or Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) regarding mining or land matters within their domains. This directive was conveyed in a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade.

The establishment of the Ogun State Landscaping and Recreation Agency aligns with the governor’s Transformation Agenda, aimed at promoting sustainable development and combating climate change.

Governor Abiodun emphasized that the third Executive Order is designed to prevent the unauthorized exploitation of the state’s mineral resources by certain traditional rulers collaborating with undesirable elements. He stated: “Pursuant to the authority vested in me as the governor of Ogun State, I hereby order as follows: that all forms of traditional institutions existing within the state are hereby with immediate effect barred from entering into any form of Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement with any individual, companies or organizations seeking land within any part of the entire state for purposes of mining or industry and 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 Obas and Chiefs Law and other relevant criminal statutes,” the governor added.