MINISTER OF SOLID MINERALS, DELE ALAKE HAS NOT DEEMED IT FIT TO VISIT IBADAN DAY'S AFTER EXPLOSION... NIYI AKINTOLA SAN Expresses Disappointment.

Legal Luminary and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Niyi Akintola, has called for more devolution of powers to the state and local government in the areas of solid minerals management and exploration.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) made the call shortly after conducting newsmen round House 40, one of his properties among other structures that were badly affected by last week Tuesday’s explosion at Old Bodija, Ibadan.

Speaking, Chief Akintola said it was unheard and unreasonable that one or two people who sits in cozy air-conditioned office in Abuja, will determine those to be given visa, licences and even protection to explore solid minerals across the country with any input or knowledge of the government at the state or local level.

Lauding Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde for coming to the aide of the victims, he challenged members of the National Assembly to wake up to their responsibilities by giving some leverage to the state and local government on solid minerals even if the subject remains on the exclusive list of the federal government.

He noted that something must be urgently done in the interest of the future of the country.

He added that while not holding brief for the state government, he said his interactions with governors who had called to sympathise with him on account of his loss to the incident shows the frustration of the state executive governors, especially in the areas of solid minerals.

Akintola said: “This is a total disaster and according to Estate experts, it is a total destruction. 

Looking at it from outside will not convey to you the magnitude of the destruction unless you go inside the structure.

But, that is not my primary concern. 

My primary concern is about the future of this country. 

Because I don’t see any wisdom in someone sitting in Abuja to issue visa to foreigners to enter into this country, issue licence to such a foreigners, give them expatriate quarters to come round and exploit our natural resources without the knowledge of the state governors, the local government, the Council chairmen, to me it is madness.

“As we speak now, this is the fourth day or so, the Minister of Solid minerals has not been here."

Look at the magnitude of disaster here. Somebody will sit down in Abuja to issue all those licences and approvals without the knowledge of those on ground.

“The governors are frustrated." 

They are not in charge when it comes to the issue of solid minerals, of course it is under the exclusive list and that is why our National Assembly must put on their thinking cap and do something about that. 

Why should you give licence to foreigners, look at where the incident happened, just a few meters from here. 

And who were the occupants, the Malians, the Chinese, and others.

“It is disheartening, I pity our governors, look at the magnitude of disaster here, the state governor is the one carrying the headache, the Minister of Solid Minerals is sitting there in cosy air conditioned room.

And it is the future of the country that matters. I don’t want to mention names, I know the number of governors that have called me to express their frustrations and their disenchantment over the issue. We must do something about that.

Yes, if Solid Minerals will be under the Exclusive list, the state Governors and local government chairmen where those minerals are located must have knowledge of somethings too. 

They must know the number of explosives you are bringing into their state, they must know where you are keeping.

He said further: “According to one of the Governor’s, he said they have added insult to their injuries in that, after they would have given these foreigners all the approvals and licences, they still give them security including, Police, DSS and soldiers to accompany them around."

So, when and where they are moving the explosives, they will be shielded. 

Not even the neighbours will know what’s happening. Look at the houses of innocent people around, see how devastating the whole place is.

Practically, everyone around here and even those who were about 1000kms away were affected.

Yet, only Governor Seyi Makinde, (may God bless him) and his officials, have been up and down. 

Nobody from the Federal Government has responded. 

We are bearing our brunt. I don’t even know where to start, I can’t even face the reality.

They said they will conduct integrity test on the building, the government has reported that 58 houses were involved but there are houses far away in New Bodija, Sango, Ajibade and even within this areas that have not been assessed. 

It is just unfortunate.

It is not just this destruction that is giving me concern, I’m bleeding inside for the future of this country, this country must survive but all of us must put our hearts together to ensure the country survives.

We can’t keep Solid minerals in the hands of few people in Abuja, it belongs to all of us. Let those who have assess to the Solid minerals be in control, they must have a say. 

The governors must have a say. I am not pleading their course, but those of them that have spoken to me expressed their frustration and their disappointment.

Why should you have gold in Zamfara and or Ilesha and somebody in Abuja will be the one sitting on it. 

You go to Ilesha and see what is happening there. 

"You will see Chinese carrying AK47 around, yet you as a citizen cannot carry same, Police will arrest you and that’s what is happening here.”

He added that the explosion is a big blow to Bodija, which he described as the legacy and heritage of all Yoruba's and first Housing estate in Africa, established in 1956.

“The guy that we are talking about here, I learnt drives around in siren, a Malian, when he brings those explosives, nobody knows or sees him or have access to him.

And Bodija is the legacy of every Yoruba. It is the first estate in Africa, established by our forefathers, it is the legacy of every Yoruba-man, now they want to destroy everything.

And yet, people are keeping quiet, those that should spela out are keeping quite.

Call it whatever name, whether it is devolution of power, whether it is restructuring, we must do something about the structures of this country. 

It is terrible, Akintola stressed.