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 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 of 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 environmental 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 activities were served to them but were ignored, which was why the state government had no option than to seal off the place.

He 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.

Recall that mining activities contributes to over sixty percent cases of erosions and landslides in Anambra State and has caused loss of properties across communities, posing an enormous setback to the transformative efforts of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for a liveable, healthy and prosperous homeland.