The Delta State Government has placed a ban on the indiscriminate dredging of sand in residential areas across the State.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Government has also placed a ban on the haulage of sand by trucks without appropriate coverings.
According to the State Government, the move is to address the devastating impact of unregulated dredging activities in the State.
“Unregulated and reckless dredging activities across the State have become a significant source of environmental degradation.
“These practices endanger the lives and livelihoods of our people, the integrity of critical infrastructure, and the sustainability of our ecosystem, Mr. Jamani Tommy Ejiro, the State Commissioner for Environment said at a briefing on Wednesday.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the government has ordered the mandatory registration of dredging sites and submission of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to the Ministry of Environment within one week.
The State Government will immediately shutdown illegal dredging sites operating without a valid EIA across the State, according to the Environment Commissioner.
Mr Ejiro also disclosed that the government has placed a ban on all dredging activities near bridges and other critical infrastructure across the State.
He said to ensure compliance, the Delta State Ministry of Environment has set up a Special Compliance Monitoring Team.
“This team will commence enforcement of these directives on Monday, 13th January 2025,” Ejiro said.
He went further to say: “These activities threaten the lives and livelihoods of our people, the integrity of critical infrastructure, and the sustainability of our ecosystem.
“The unregulated dredging of sand and other materials has led to an environmental crisis.
“It is disheartening that despite the provisions of the Delta State Ecology Law of 2006, which regulates dredging and other related activities, many operators continue to flout these regulations with impunity.
“Such disregard for the law and our environment is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. promptly. The government is not against legitimate business activities but insists that all operations must be conducted responsibly and in compliance with the law”.
While urging for compliance by dredging operators/owners, the Commissioner call on on the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to assist in the effective implementation of these directives.
“The indiscriminate commercialization of dredged sand-whether from rivers, lakes, swamps, or other water bodies-driven by inordinate ambition and greed, must be discouraged to protect the people and the environment.
“The people of Delta State deserve a clean, safe, and sustainable environment. The time to act is now, and I assure you that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will spare no effort in addressing this critical issue,” he said.