12 arrested in A’Ibom over illegal mining, dredging

The Akwa Ibom State Government on Tuesday says it has arrested at least 12 residents over illegal mining and sand dredging in the last four months.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Charles Udoh, disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo.

Udo said that the suspects failed to comply with the regulations guiding mining and sand dredging in the state.

According to him, all the suspects are already in court, while the director of state prosecution has taken up their cases.

“We have arrested 12 illegal miners and dredgers in the last four months for failing to comply with regulations guiding mining and sand dredging in different parts of the state,” he said.

He said that the state ministry of environment had inaugurated a joint site verification committee to evaluate, register and supervise mining and dredging activities in the state.

The commissioner noted that the committee was made up of representatives of the state and federal ministries of environment.

Udoh explained that the unlawful acts necessitated the formation of the joint committee.

He added that the absence of regulation of the activities of sand dredgers and gravel miners had continued to pose threat to the ecosystem and critical infrastructure.

“Though it is in the exclusive lists, the state government needs regulate and control the activities of miners and dredgers, since their licenses are not fixed to any particular location.

“That is why we are involving all stakeholders including those at the federal level so that we will not be seen as acting arbitrarily.

“So anyone, who wants to dredge or mine in Akwa Ibom must have his or her site approved by this team,” he said.

Udoh explained that the team would also periodically do environmental audit to evaluate the extent of damage such dredging or mining had done to the ecosystem.

He regretted that activities of dredgers and miners had led to the near collapse of some bridges and infrastructure in some parts of the state especially in Uyo.

“Flood control outfall in Ibesikpo Asutan, where some houses are being swallowed by erosion and gully were created by such illegal activities.

“For instance, no dredging or mining is allowed within 500 metres of a critical infrastructure on solid land and dredging is not also allowed within 150 metres of the shoreline.

“This is in order to protect the state from erosion and flooding,” he said.

Udoh further stated that the ministry had also increased its awareness programme on dangers of such activities.

According to him, efforts are being made to organise them into cooperative societies to enable them attract funding, patronage and capacity growth.