Abia Govt orders suspension of sand dredging in Osisioma River

The Commissioner for Environment, Abia State, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna  has ordered immediate suspension of sand dredging activities at the Umuadele River, Okpulo Umuobo,  Osisioma local government area.

According to the State government, the suspension was in response to concerns of environmental degradation and other allegations of illegal operations in the River.

The Commissioner, who stormed the sand dredging site during an unscheduled official visit, directed all the sand dredgers, tipper operators and loaders at the site to report to the Ministry of Environment for proper verification of their operational status and documentation.

He condemned the increasing rate of illegal dredging activities in the area, expressing worry that the area has been severely degraded and devastated due to unregulated soil mining and sand dredging that had taken place for more than  a decade.

Ogbonna also stressed the need for the sand dredgers  to harmonise their activities with the Abia State government.

He expressed worry that any further unregulated sand dredging at the site will exacerbate the already bad situation.

Ogbonna explained that the visit was both an enforcement action and an appeal for cooperation, noting that the government was determined to restore environmental sanity and ensure compliance with environmental laws in all parts of the State.