Concerns have been raised that the ban on sand mining by the Anambra State Government is putting at risk the livelihoods of over 8,500 river sand miners and their employees. Additionally, the state stands to lose over N21 million weekly due to the cessation of sand mining activities and the closure of sandpits.
Investigations by the South-East PUNCH have revealed that more than 500 tipper drivers in Anambra State, who previously worked with river sand miners, have shifted their operations to neighboring states where sand mining is allowed following the ban imposed by the state government.
The directive for the ban on sand mining was issued in a public notice signed by key officials including the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Anthony Ifeanya, and the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu. The notice mandated all sand miners to cease operations pending clearance from the relevant government ministries.
In response to the allegations of illegal activities harming the environment, the sand miners refuted these claims, asserting that their operations were legitimate and authorized by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals Development, as well as the National Inland Waterway Authority.
The Chairman of the Sand Miners Association of Anambra State, Sir Christopher Mbaegbu, accused the state government of attempting to unlawfully control their federally approved operations and emphasized the negative impact of the ban on both the miners and the state’s economy.
According to Mbaegbu, the ban not only hampers the miners’ income but also results in significant revenue losses for the state, as sand mining activities contribute millions of naira in taxes and fees. He urged Governor Charles Soludo to lift the ban promptly to prevent further economic repercussions.
The miners have been given stringent conditions by the state government to meet for clearance to resume operations, including registration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in Awka and submission of various documents and reports.
In a letter to the Minister of Environment and Solid Minerals Development in Abuja, the miners’ legal representative, Ben Chuks Udoh, sought clarification on the legality of the ban and the ministry’s authority in regulating mining activities.
A request was made for clarification regarding whether the Anambra State government had informed the Federal Ministry of Environmental and Solid Mineral Development regarding the Anambra State Ministry of Information’s directive to halt all sand mining operations in the state.
Udoh sought clarity on the official standpoint of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Solid Mineral Development in relation to the Anambra State government’s instructions.
It was highlighted that the Anambra State government’s actions had prevented sand miners from fulfilling their obligations to pay royalties to the Federal Government, impacting their ability to support their families amidst economic challenges.
In response, the sand miners addressed a letter to the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterway Authority, expressing concerns about the state government encroaching on the Right of Way Permit granted to them. They reported incidents of harassment, arrests of their members, and the imposition of tolls on the Right of Way, with claims that it belongs to the state rather than the Federal Government.
The correspondence, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Sand Miners Association of Anambra State, was also shared with the NIWA Area Manager, the three senators representing Anambra state, and local federal constituency members. They questioned whether the Right of Way allocated to sand miners still falls under the jurisdiction of NIWA, which operates under the Federal government.
The letter emphasized that the Anambra State government had effectively taken over the Right of Way permit issued by NIWA, prompting a plea for swift action from NIWA.
Addressing accusations of causing erosion, the sand miners clarified that their operations involving River Craft Boats and Dredgers were mobile, allowing them to transfer sand across Anambra, Delta, and Kogi States. They refuted claims that their activities led to erosion as baseless.
Describing their challenges since March 11, 2024, when state officials allegedly disrupted their operations, the sand miners expressed frustration at being unable to engage with the governor despite multiple attempts.
They urged Governor Soludo to lift the ban on sand mining, stressing the importance of their activities in reducing crime by providing livelihoods for numerous unemployed youths. They warned against the potential risks of increased unemployment resulting from the ban.