Imo State Government Bans Mining and Dredging in Owerri

Imo State Government Bans Mining and Dredging in Owerri

The Imo State Government has announced a total ban on all forms of mining and dredging activities within the Owerri Capital Territory. This decision was made in response to years of unregulated mining, which has resulted in devastating floods, soil erosion, and the collapse of critical infrastructure across the city.

Uncontrolled sand mining has caused severe environmental degradation, including the widening of the Owerri River to oceanic proportions.Bridges, road networks, and perimeter fences of institutions like Alvan Ikoku University have been destroyed.
Entire communities and farmlands are under threat, and flooding has become a daily reality.

The Imo State Government has expressed its commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of its citizens. The Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Ernest Ibejiako, emphasized that the government will no longer tolerate the indiscriminate devastation of the capital territory. The government has formally notified the federal authorities and demanded the revocation of all mining licenses within the Owerri Capital Territory .

The government has dispatched monitoring teams to ensure compliance with the ban. Any person, company, or group found engaging in illegal mining or dredging within the proscribed zone will face arrest, prosecution, and decisive punishment, including the impoundment of equipment.

The ban on mining and dredging in Owerri is a crucial step towards protecting the environment and preserving the city’s infrastructure. The Imo State Government’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation is evident in its decision to enforce this ban strictly .