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From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
A delegation of the Anambra State government on illegal mining led by the Managing Director, Operation Clean And Healthy Anambra, Ocha Brigade, Comr. Celestine Anere has arrested over 30 suspected miners.
The arrest took place at Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area and Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area.
According to the Ocha Brigade boss, the move was in line with the state government’s resolve to save the environment as the state is speedily losing more lands to erosion as a result of illegal sand mining and other activities.
Governor Soludo while commissioning the Alex Ekwueme Civic Centre in Oko a few weeks ago, placed a ban on illegal mining, irregularities, or approval by any community or stakeholders for any excavation site.
Addressing the press, Comr. Anere said the suspects would face the wrath of the law. According to him, every active mining site in the state must have the “Environmental Impact Assessment” of the Anambra state Ministry of Environment, as the ministry has the requirements and procedures guiding such operations clearly spelt out in a bid to give Ndi Anambra a liveable and sustainable environment.
Some of the arrested suspects pleaded guilty, saying that they were ignorant of the ban on illegal mining, whereas some of the suspects denied ever engaging in the act.
Anambra Governor had banned sand excavation in Oko and is determined to fight rampaging erosion in ex-VP Ekwueme’s home town.
Governor Soludo vowed to bring under control the erosion menace threatening Oko town in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
He said there was an urgent need to address the erosion menace threatening Oko, noting it as a serious issue that government must fight frontally.
The governor also disclosed that there had been a previous town hall meeting with critical stakeholders, where the erosion threat faced by the community was discussed.
Prof Soludo visibly worried by the erosion in Oko banned all kinds of sand excavation in the town.
He noted that sand mining and uncontrolled flooding were key factors to erosion in Oko, explaining that solving it required collective action from the community, individuals, and the government.
He also formed a 25-man task force for the enforcement of the ban on sand excavation in the affected areas.
The sand excavation ban also extends to three communities in Nanka, Amaokpala, Awgbu, and Ekwulobia in Aguata.
The Governor said he would sign an executive order next week to enforce the ban.
He noted that failure to act now could lead to the disappearance of those areas within the next 50 to 60 years.
The governor urged wealthy people of the area to sustain Ekwueme’s legacies by funding projects that would promote development in the community, especially in the areas of road construction, scholarship award, health, among other things.
As a tribute to Ekwueme, he said the state government pledged to construct the PAL Brewery road, initiated by the late vice president, who was the brewery’s founder.
Chief Handel Okoli, the coordinator of Ide Memorial Group representing the Oko community, praised Ekwueme for the substantial development he brought to the area.
He said Ekwueme was instrumental to establishing the present Federal Polytechnic, Oko, initially founded as the “Comprehensive Secondary School” and later renamed by the Federal Government.
Earlier, Oko Peoples Union Chairman, Comrade Luke Nweke, expressed gratitude for the completion of the Civic Centre and Governor Soludo’s support in combating the erosion.
