The Commissioner for Environment, Abia State, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna has ordered immediate suspension of sand dredging activities at the Umuadele River, in Iisialaokpu, Okpulo Umuobo in Osisioma LGA of Abia State over allegations of illegal operations and environmental degradation.
Ogbonna, who gave the directive during an unscheduled official visit to the Umuadele River, directed the sand dredgers, tipper operators and loaders at the site to report to the Ministry of Environment for proper verifications of their operational status and documentation.
He condemned the increasing rate of illegal dredging activities, adding that the area has been severely degraded and devastated due to unregulated soil mining and sand dredging that have taken place for over a decade.
The Commissioner also stressed the need for them to harmonise their activities with the government, emphasising that any further unregulated activities at the site will exacerbate the already bad situation.
He explained that the visit was both an enforcement action and an appeal for cooperation, noting that the government is determined to restore environmental sanity and ensure compliance with environmental laws in all parts of the State.
He also stressed the need for all operators to align their activities with government regulations, adding that the state government remains committed to promoting environmental sustainability while supporting legitimate economic activities across the state.
