Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Engr Felix Chinedu Odimegwu, has denied sending security operatives to attack illegal miners in Nnewi, the industrial city of the State.
The Commissioner debunked the allegation while briefing Journalists in Awka on Sunday, in reaction to a report that he ordered some security operatives to shoot and beat up illegal sand miners at Ọfara Ime River, Ebenator community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the State.
He said neither he nor his Ministry sent security operatives to Ebenator community for the alleged reported incident.
According to him, the State Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) acted in strict compliance with the directives of Governor Chukwuma Soludo against sand mining by sending their officers accompanied by operatives of Anambra vigilante group to the illegal sand mining site.
“I don’t know anything about the reported attack. I am in charge of the State Ministry of Environment, if such an incident happened, it has nothing to do with me and the Military under my watch. I don’t send any security operatives to attack any sand miner in Ọfara Ime River in Ebenator community as being speculated. The operatives are from the governor’s directive.
So, the alleged report against me and the Ministry of Environment is fake and should be disregarded by the public, please, the Commissioner urges.
“Ebenator community landmass is ravaged by serious erosion. Two years ago, Governor Soludo in his magnanimity approved the control and reclamation of a section of the erosion which had developed in the community and the government is working to further approve the control and mitigation of phase two of the reclamation and mitigation of erosion in the town”
” Due to the loose nature of the Anambra soil, the Governor few months ago suspended sand mining activities throughout the state and set up a sand mining reform committee in that regard. Whoever will be granted approval to mine sand in the state must go through proper scrutiny by the committee after which the committee will send its report to the Governor who will give the final nod to the mine”.
” So, in line with the directive of the Governor to OCHA brigade, the Agency mobilized AVG personnel to stop individuals who were reported mining sand in the area against government directive.
” Unfortunately, some individuals locked the entrance gate against the AVG personnel which prompted them to break the barricade and gain access to exit. The situation is completely under control and there’s no cause for alarm, the Commissioner noted.
The Commissioner also used the briefing to remind the people, especially, local government chairmen, that government has suspended sand mining in the state and whoever must mine sand must obtain approval from the governor.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
