Chidiebele Obika | I-Witness News
It is no longer news that Anambra state had been described as the erosion capital of Africa by relevant organizations with over one thousand erosion sites inclusive of the Ebenator community gully erosion, Nnewi South Local Government Area.
Reacting to the news reports that he ordered security personnel to shoot and beat up illegal sand miners at Ebenator, the Anambra state commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odimegwu cleared the air that neither him nor his ministry sent security operatives to Ebenator community.
Odimegwu stated that Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) acted in strict compliance to the directives of Governor Chukwuma Soludo against sand mining by sending their officers accompanied by officers of Anambra vigilante group to the illegal sand mining site.
” Ebenator community landmass is ravaged by serious erosion. Two years ago, Governor Soludo in his magnanimity approved the control and reclamation of a section of the erosion which had developed in the community and the government is working to further approve the control and mitigation of phase two of the reclamation and mitigation of erosion in the town”
” Due to the loose nature of the Anambra soil, the Governor few months ago suspended sand mining activities throughout the state and set up a sand mining reform committee in that regard. Whoever will be granted approval to mine sand in the state must go through proper scrutiny by the committee after which the committee will send its report the Governor who will give the final nod to mine”.
” So, in line with the directive of the Governor to OCHA brigade, the Agency mobilized AVG personnel to stop individuals who were reported mining sand in the area against government directive. Unfortunately, some individuals locked the entrance gate against the AVG personnel which prompted them to break the barricade and gain access to exit. The situation is completely under control and there’s no cause for alarm”.
He used the opportunity to remind ndi Anambra especially local government council chairmen that government suspended sand mining in the state and whoever must mine sand in the state must obtain approval from the governor.
