- Safiu Kehinde
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed claims that the new deal between the state government and Thors Exploration Limited, mother company of Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), is linked to the report released by the investigative committee on the business and legal disputes between the parties.
Adeleke, in a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, accused the peddlers of the claims of plot to sabotage the new deal between the two parties following their meeting with the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on Tuesday.
“Our attention has been drawn to a misguided report publishing an investigative committee report on the business and legal disputes between the Thors Exploration Limited and the Osun state government.
“We note that those who sponsored the report with a view to sabotage the new deal between the two parties assumed the discussion, facilitated by the Honourable Minister and the agreement brokered by the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development was based on the report of the 12-man investigative committee.
“Those enemies of Osun state would however be disappointed to learn that the new deal between the two parties was based on African dispute resolution mechanism, which some can term “political intervention”, being pioneered by the Honourable Minister for this important economic sector.” the statement read.
NPO Reported that Alake had, at the meeting, brokered truce between the parties with certain agreements.
According to the statement, the Minister, after listening to the Adeleke’s address, summoned the Segilola team to a meeting with the state team while both the Governor and the Minister mediated.
The Minister thereafter called on Osun state team to present the sticky points which were listed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals, Prof. Lukuman Adekilekun Jimoda to include; payment of undisputed PAYEE immediately, setting up of independent tax consultant to address other tax components, formal presentation of Environmental report and request to SROL through the Minister as well as the need to address the additional economic interest due to encroachment of 88 cadastral unit amongst others.
However, the points were reportedly trashed with new resolutions made which as highlighted in the statement include.
“The handing over of the share certificate to Osun state,
“Agreement to pay undisputed portion of the tax assessment of 1.2 billion Naira (on PAYE alone),
“Review of Osun claims on Environmental Audit with Osun submitting a comprehensive environmental audit,
“A decision for the Federal Ministry of Solid Mineral to review claims on encroachment on Osun 88 cadastral mining units by Segilola and the associated inconclusive partnership.”
Expressing surprise over the contrary report, Adeleke reiterated that Osun got a better deal, stressing that is no longer shares in Tropical Mines Ltd but shares in Thor Exploration and had an opportunity to present its Environmental Audit Report.
The governor commended the Minister of Solid Minerals for his steadfastness and patriotic stance and demonstration of commitment to mining reforms and the resolution of the dispute.
He also applauded the directors of Segilola Gold project for their openness and readiness to partner and cooperate with the state government while noting that the deal is a headache for haters of Osun development.
“We are therefore surprised to read sponsored reports from saboteurs who never wish Osun well pushing out a report which even the Minister said cannot provide a sustainable basis for resolving the disputes.
“Whether those eager to deny Osun legitimate earnings for her development like it or not, a new paradigm has been reached. Osun is now an official shareholder in Thors Exploration Limited and Thors Exploration is to enjoy a positive operational environment. We have the shares, and we know, if it were to be them, they would have commenced a process of selling the shares.
“Osun got a better deal, it is no longer shares in Tropical Mines Ltd but shares in Thor Exploration and had an opportunity to present its Environmental Audit Report.
“As a shareholder of Thors Exploration, things can only get better as insiders, and we do not hope to spoil the goodwill that exists between the two parties.
“We commend the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr Dele Alake for his steadfastness and patriotic stance and demonstration of commitment to mining reforms and the resolution of the dispute.
“We also applaud the directors of Segilola Gold project for their openness and readiness to partner and cooperate with the state government. This deal is a headache for haters of Osun development.
“Members of the public are therefore enjoined to ignore the fake news from the enemies of Osun state who prefer lining their pockets with illicit gold than seeing Osun with more funds for her development.” the governor stated.