RSG Set To Check Illegal Dredging, Sand Mining

The Rivers State Government says it has secured an injunction to stop all forms of illegal dredging and sand mining activities in the state.
State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Igbiks Tamuno, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting recently in Port Harcourt Tamuno said the injunction which was granted by the State High Court didn’t only outlaw illegal dredging and sand mining, but also restricted dredging activities to a radius of 1000 metres from a bridge, jetties or any government infrastructure.
He said, those wishing a engage in dredging and sand mining activities must go through the laid down procedure in order to be accorded appropriate recognition by the Authorities.
According to the commissioner, the Wike-led administration is determined to ensure that the interest of Rivers people and their environment is protected, that it is in the interest of Rivers people that all forms of dredging activities are regulated in order to save the environment from destruction.
Also speaking, former National President of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Dr Cassa Wai Ogosu said regulatory agencies were not doing enough to check the activities of illegal dredgers and sand miners in the state.
Ogosu said time had come for the Ministry of Environment to be up and doing in their regulatory activities as for as dredging and waste management activities were concerned.
Also speaking, Vice President of Mining Association of Nigeria, Mr Enebeli Kennedy, decried the proliferation of illegal mining and dredging activities in the state.
Kennedy said the dredging and mining sector of the state had been hyjacked by illegal operators and pledged the support of the association towards flushing them out.