The Anambra State Government through Operation Clean And Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade has sealed off an illegal sand mining site at the Onitsha end of the River Niger Bridge Head for illegal sand mining activities.
This was a part of an enforcement and compliance exercise organised by the Brigade to kick against every illegal mining and touting activities going on in the area.
The Managing Director, OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, who led the exercise, expressed displeasure at the illegal sand dredging being conducted in the area and explained that the activities pose an environment threat to the state.
The OCHA Brigade boss disclosed that demand notices to provide the environmental impact assessment and other government approved documents on those engaging in the activity but were ignored which was why the state government had no option than to seal off the place.
Anere urged prospective operators to seek the necessary permits required for mining from the relevant ministries, departments and agencies and vowed to continue to arrest defaulters until they do the right thing.
Angel Network News (ANN) recall that mining activities contributes over 60% to cases of erosions and landslides in Anambra State and has affected loss of properties across communities.
