Land Devastation: Imo Govt Calls For Prohibition Of Sand Mining In Owerri 

…Wants Illicit Dredgers Punished, License Revoked 

By Ikenna Orioha 

To prevent devastation of environments in the state, particularly in Owerri city, the Imo State Government has called on Federal Government, through to completely prohibit sand mining and dredging activities within the capital territory.

This call was made by the Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Hon. Earnest Ibejiako, while speaking in Owerri, on Wednesday, during a meeting, involving the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Ministry of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Miners Association of Nigeria, Imo State, Ihiagwa people and other stakeholders in the mining and dredging sector.

The Commissioner, who was bitter at how illicit mining and dredging activities had degraded the Owerri metropolitan environments, destroyed many structures, as well as leave panic on the residents who habitat near the rivers, including fisherman and spiritual herbalists, told the Federal Authorities to revoke spurious licenses of miners and dredgers who he said illegally operate within Owerri territory to save the environments.

Ibejiako reiterated that many buildings, lands had been destroyed, just as flooding and erosion are devastating the Owerri metropolis, given to indiscriminate mining and dredging activities.

Stating that most of the degraded mining sites had long been declared “not dredgeable” in 2017, Ibejiako reflected that in 2019, Dr. Uche Ogar, the former Minister of State, banned dredging within the state capital territory, regretting that inspite of  the prohibition, illicit mining activities have unabatedly continued, creating alarming danger and fear.

“Having formally notified the Federal Authorities and presented concrete evidence—including videos and pictorial clips—of the criminal devastation of the environment in the name of sand dredging, the Government of Imo State reiterates emphatically: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. 

“The final and total prohibition of any form of sand mining and dredging within the Owerri Capital Territory is hereby reaffirmed. Strict enforcement of existing laws under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and the Regulations of 2011—particularly provisions protecting public infrastructure, rivers and communities—shall be applied”, Ibejiako added.

He said the state “shall now take every available legal step to ensure the final prohibition of mining and dredging within her capital territory, thereby requesting the Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja, to revoke all mining licenses located within the Imo State Capital Territory.

“We demand the final and total prohibition of any form of sand mining and dredging within the Owerri Capital Territory. Prosecution of defaulters and revocation of all spurious licenses granted within the Owerri Capital Territory.

“The road network linking Egbeada and Irete had been mined out, the perimeter fencing of Alvan Ikoku University had collapsed and inland bridges behind the Federal Medical Centre and Alvan Ikoku had been destroyed. Entire communities, including plotted lands, vegetable farms and even high-tension power-lines, are under direct threat.

“Flooding, soil erosion and the collapse of residential and public structures are now daily realities within Owerri Metropolis due to the reckless diversion of natural water courses like Nworie/Otamiri, Onuazuru/Onumiri Amachara/Onukwu river confluences, which had been destroyed and diverted by enemies of the Imo State environment.

“We cannot, in the name of legality or federal licensing, sacrifice the environmental safety and survival of Owerri Capital Territory. We must not allow the indiscriminate devastation of our capital territory”, the Commissioner stressed.

Delegation of Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, led by the Ministry’s Director, Engr. Ganiyu A, frowned at illicit mining in the capital territory, assuring that the Minister and the Federal Government will make positive effort to outlaw illegal mining and dredging to save the environment.

However, the Chairman, Miners Association of Nigeria, Imo State, Prince Ugochukwu Onyenwenwa, assured the government that members will always comply fully with any policy or directive it comes up with to enhance legal mining and dredging within Owerri municipality.