Delta State’s Commissioner for Environment, Ejiro Jamani in a bid to prioritize environmental sustainability, has closed down illegal dredging sites in Ughelli North LGA.
TheNewsGuru reports that the commissioner, who alongside compliance monitoring team visited Agbarho bridge, Ekuigbo and Ahwinahwi axis of Ughelli North, noted that the action is taken as part of the ministry’s effort to put a stop to illegal dredging activities that have become a threat to people’s lives and properties.
TNG learnt that the ministry had requested dredgers across the state to register and submit the Environmental Impact Assessment documents,whilst placing a total ban on all dredging activities taking place near critical infrastructures like road, bridges and residential areas.
The Ministry of environment’s action comes after several complaints from citizens about the environmental impact of dredging activities across Delta State like in Ekpan community, Uvwie Local Government Area.
The residents had raised alarms, calling on the government after a private sand dredger posed a threat at the popular Ekpan bridge and neighboring houses.
In reaction, the environmental commissioner swung into action, shutting down over 40 dredging sites, as he termed the operations of the dredging sites as “danger” to people’s lives and critical infrastructures.
The commissioner has pledged to focus on quality service delivery to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment as enshrined in the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori administration pledge to Deltans.
He also emphasized the need for greater collaboration between stakeholders to address environmental issues in the state.