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OYSMIDA DG visits Igbeti, calms fears over rock weathering
By Adewale Owoade
The Director-General, Oyo State Solid Mineral Development Agency (OSMDA), Mr Abiodun Oni, has visited Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government to address concerns over a recent rock weathering incident.
Rock weathering is the natural process by which rocks break down or change over time due to exposure to environmental elements such as air, water, temperature changes, and biological activity.
Oni assured residents there was no immediate danger but advised them to avoid the site until it is declared safe by experts.
The incident, which occurred on June 7, caused panic in the community, prompting a swift response from the state government and local authorities.
Oni said preliminary findings showed that a portion of the rock gave way after being exposed to intense heat.
“From what we have seen, the rock was subjected to extreme heat and made a weak part of the rock come down.
“To the glory of God, we don’t have any casualty and this is one of the reasons why the governor sent us here to calm nerves down.
“We have reassured the people of the community that there is no danger but they should steer clear of the rock. This is because there may be a recurrence.
“This thing is better attended to by the local authorities that we have advised from the state. I have been in touch with the elected council chairman and the king of the town. We have also advised the people to stay away as much as they can.
“It is still more like an active system and we don’t want anybody to get hurt. So, I want to implore the people of the community and the farmers farming close to the rock to stay away for now,” he said.
In a related development, Vice Chairman of Olorunsogo Local Government, Adetoro Adegbola, said the council was working to erect a barricade to restrict access.
Adegbola spoke on behalf of the Chairman, Hon. Kazeem Olayanju.
The Onigbeti of Igbetiland, Oba (Engr.) Bashir Abioye, thanked the state government for its swift action and revealed that a team of experts had been mobilised to assess the situation.
“This incident also occurred last year and the one that just happened was the continuation of what happened last year. The government of Oyo State has taken the necessary steps to make sure that no life is lost.
“We have also asked the hunters and farmers that do use the rock to stop going there temporarily. The government has asked a team of experts to come and evaluate the rock and I believe that, with the capacity of the state government, the needful would be done, because we know that the lives of our people are important to them,” he said. (NAN)
