ANAMBRA EROSION: SOLUDO MOVES TO CRIMINALISE ILLEGAL SAND MINING

REPORTER: BEN ILECHUKWU

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has called for collective efforts towards tackling erosion menace in the area.

The Governor, while stressing that the state remains one of the worst hit by gully erosion in the world, described erosion as an existential threat.

Governor Soludo made the remarks while addressing stakeholders from Oko, Awgbu, Ekwulobia, Nanka and Amaokpala, who converged on the Oko Civic Center for a town hall meeting on erosion management.

He stressed that a clean, green and sustainable environment was among the key agenda in his manifesto.

He frowned at sand miners whose activities worsen the erosion problem in those areas.

The Governor expressed his administration’s desire to synergize with community in ameliorating the menace even as he called on various communities to constitute enforcement teams.

Governor Soludo further revealed plan to ban and criminalize sand minning without necessary certification.

Governor Soludo hinted that, pending the enactment of the law, he would soon sign an Executive Order prohibiting sand mining near erosion-prone areas and sent to the Anambra state House of Assembly for its speedy passage.

Earlier in a speech, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Felix Odimegwu, expressed Governor Soludo led administration’s deep concerned about the devastation caused by erosion.

He said the government was working on the best way to tackle erosion in various parts of the state.

Mr. Odimegwu called for preventive measures to forestall futher occurrences.

For his part, the President General of Oko Community, Comrade Luke Nweke, commended the on-going road construction in Oko and environs as well as efforts being made towards tackling erosion problem.

In a lecture, the Managing Director, Anambra State Erosion and Watershed Management Project, Mr. Phil Eze, highlighted the causes of erosion and ways to mitigate its effects.

These included massive planting of trees, desilting of drainage channels and construction of catchment pit in every compound.

Participants from Oko, Awgbu, Ekwulobia, Nanka and Amaokpala shared their erosion experiences, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement of laws to prevent illegal sand mining.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU