Anambra state currently has over 900 active erosion sites. While the Anambra state government, the World Bank and other development partners work to tackle the ecological challenges, it is important to also draw the attention of Ndi Anambra to the activities of illegal excavators, sand and stone miners in various communities in Anambra State.
Take for example the huge problems created in this one location at Awovu village, Enugwu-Ukwu by the illegal miners. This site is behind Anambra Broadcasting Service and NTA mast locations. They have created huge craters from their illegal activities thus disfiguring the topography of the scenic and beautiful area, and also creating problems and endangering the lives of people that have homes in the area.
One of such persons is Mr Chidi Akabogu who has called for total ban of illegal mining in Anambra’s rural communities. “When you look at the view, you can see Awka and other nearby towns. God blessed this area with such wonderful topography but our people due to greed and lack of care for the environment have wasted the lands. Government should please intervene and stop these people from causing further damage through their illegal stone mining activities”.
Mr Obi Nwankwo, Anambra State Commissioner for Environment said the activities of the illegal miners in the area have been brought to the attention of his Ministry. “The Ministry’s enforcement team are on this particular case and others too. Those responsible will be made to face the full weight of the law”, he announced. Continuing, Mr Nwankwo asked Ndi Anambra to always report the activities of such illegal miners observed in their communities to the ministry for appropriate and urgent action to be taken. “The job of protecting and caring for our environment is the collective responsibility of every onye Anambra. The environment we abuse today will come back to hunt us tomorrow”, he concluded.
To contact Anambra state Ministry of Environment, please call 09012500200
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