Govt. warns against indiscriminate excavation of sand

The Kogi Government has warned against indiscriminate excavation of sand, and vowed to sanction anyone caught.

Its Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Rosemary Osikoya, gave the warning at a sensitisation programme on illegal mining organised by the ministry and held in Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government.

“We have tolerated this for so long; ignorance of the law will no longer be tenable,” Osikoya declared.

The commissioner said that the sensitisation was necessary in view of the adverse effects of sand excavation and other mining activities on the environment.

“Miners have caused land degradation and gully erosion in mining sites and their environs because our terrain is very soft and the land is easily washed away by floods.

“It is important to protect what we have now and secure it for other generations. We must follow the law if we really want things to change.

“It is our responsibility to take appropriate steps by ensuring the safety of our people and the environment,” Osikoya said.

Osikoya appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and land owners to demand for infrastructure from miners, rather than money.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three trucks loaded with sand that were impounded four months ago, were released to the owners during the exercise.

READ: Kwara House Seeks Inputs On 11 Bills

The trucks were released after their owners signed an undertaking never to indulge in indiscriminate sand excavation.

The Ochogu of Ogugu, Chief Michael Salifu, in a remark, expressed gratitude to the government for releasing the trucks.

Salifu said that the release had brought joy to him and the people.

Mr Awuse Mayor, former Vice Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government, who spoke on behalf of the Tipper Drivers Association, thanked the commissioner for releasing the trucks.

Mayor promised that the association would obey government’s directive on sand excavation.