Delta State government has issued a directive to curtail unregulated dredging activities across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Jamani Tommy Ejiro, made this known during a press briefing with Journalists on the devastating impact of dredging activities in the State.
He said the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in alignment with the M.O.R.E. Agenda, which prioritizes environmental sustainability, has directed the Ministry to immediately implement the mandatory registration of dredging sites and submission of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to the Ministry of Environment within one week of this notice; immediate shutdown of illegal dredging sites operating without a valid EIA, ban on dredging activities near bridges and other critical infrastructure across the state; ban on dredging activities in residential areas to protect the health and safety of our people and also the ban on the haulage of wet sand or sand transported without cover by tippers within the state.
According to him, although the state is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, including rich biodiversity, fertile lands, and pristine waterway, but reckless and unregulated dredging activities across the state have become a significant source of environmental degradation.
He said the activities threaten the lives and livelihoods of our people, the integrity of critical infrastructure, and the sustainability of our ecosystem.
The Commissioner said the unregulated dredging of sand and other materials has led to an environmental crisis, manifesting in degradation of water quality and increased turbidity.; harm to aquatic life and destruction of natural habitats; increased flooding, land subsidence, and erosion; health risks from contaminated dredge spoil; loss of fertile lands and decreased property values and damage to critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, resulting in costly maintenance.
While frowning at the dredgers disregard to the state Ecology Law of 2006, the Commissioner said it would no longer be tolerated as the Special Compliance Monitoring Team set up by the Ministry, will from Monday, January 13, 2025. ensure strict enforcement of the directives
He urged traditional rulers, community presidents-general, and youth leaders to support the government by reporting illegal dredging activities in their areas to the Ministry of Environment or the nearest police station.
“Your collaboration is crucial in safeguarding our environment for future generations, as our people are the first casualties of any environmental hazards resulting from these activities”. He said.
He called on the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to assist in the effective implementation of these directives, adding that the government was not against legitimate business activities but insists that all operations be conducted responsibly and in compliance with the law.
Jamani said the indiscriminate commercialization of dredged sand—whether from rivers, lakes, swamps, or other water bodies—driven by inordinate ambition and greed, must be discouraged to protect the people and the environment.
