The Anambra State government has warned against illegal mining of mineral resources within the state, especially sand excavation without due recourse to law and government guidelines.
The Anambra Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Anthony Ifeanya disclosed this during an unscheduled visit to sand excavation sites in the state.
the Commissioner and the enforcement team first visited an illegal laterite excavation site located along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, where awaiting trucks were being loaded by an excavator.
When some persons managing t he site were accosted, they could not properly identify themselves nor produce documents showing government approval and also payment of revenue to appropriate government agencies.
At the site visited, heavy duty trucks were also seen packed on the road which can cause road accident.
Barrister Ifeanya emphasized that sands cannot be excavated without notifying the government for due approval and carrying out environmental impact assessment on the site to prevent further erosion.
He also notified them on prompt payment of stipulated revenue to government and the need for them to meet with the ministry for proper guideline always.
The team later visited Ezu Anaku River in Anyamelum Local Government Area and Odene-Ezi Agulu, Aguleri, where the Commissioner inspected the Bridge base and gave a stern warning against excavation of sand from the bridge base to avoid collapse.
The President General of Ezi Agulu Otu Aguleri, Mr. Ignatius Nwabude explained that efforts were being made to ensure that all that necessary is done while Mr. Ignatius Obinwata and Mr. Ndibe Ekwebelu promised to follow government’s guidelines and stipulations.
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