Ogun tightens land ownership as Governor Abiodun forbids traditional rulers from signing MOUs

In a move aimed at curbing illegal agreements, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, on Saturday, signed an executive order restricting traditional rulers from signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on behalf of the state government.

This decision was taken amid concerns regarding the lack of transparency and potential financial irregularities in the MoUs signed by several kings. The governor’s order emphasizes the need to simplify procedures and ensure proper oversight of any agreements involving the state.

Governor Abiodun also issued three executive orders to establish two new institutions.

They are: Ogun State Mineral Resources Development Agency and Ogun State Parks and Recreation Agency.

In addition to the creation of these two bodies, the third executive order also prohibits the king from making any form of agreement or Memorandum of Understanding regarding mining activities or other land matters in their territory.

READ ALSO:Abiodun government signs N703.02bn 2024 allocation bill in Ogun

A statement issued on Saturday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade said the three executive orders would take effect immediately.

It reads in part, “First Executive Order: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OGUN STATE MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AGENCY. Article 5(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 empowers the Governor of Ogun State, the exercise of the executive powers of the State for the purposes of effective governance. The government’s responsibilities include the security, welfare, good governance, safety and peaceful coexistence of all people in the state, including business groups such as mining communities.

“Ogun State has rich and extensive mineral resource reserves that must be explored responsibly, wisely and without damaging the environmental ecosystem in mining areas. NOW BY THE AUTHORITY GRANTED TO ME AS GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE UNDER THE 1999 CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (AS AMENDED) PRINCE ADEDAPO OLUSEUN ABIODUN, CON, HEREBY REQUESTS THAT: An Agency to be known as the Ogun State Mineral Resources Development Agency is hereby established.

“Therefore, the State is observing a current trend where miners and investors are circumventing government regulation and supervision by encouraging Indigenous institutions to interfere in land management by entering into Memorandums of Understanding and other unreasonable legal agreements. THEREFORE NOW PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED TO ME BY THE CONSTITUTION AS GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE, I HEREBY REQUEST THE FOLLOWING:

“That all forms of Traditional Institutions in the State are hereby immediately prohibited from making Memorandums of Understanding or Agreements of any kind with any individual, company or organization seeking Land in any part of the State for Mining or Industrial purposes. and immediately refrain from issuing any form of approval for mining throughout the State.”

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