Abia State Suspends Sand Dredging in Osisioma River

The Abia State Government, through Philemon Asony Ogbonna, has mandated the immediate suspension of sand dredging activities in the Osisioma River and Umuadel River, located in the Osisioma Local Government Area. This decision follows concerns regarding environmental degradation and allegations of illegal operations affecting the river.

During an unscheduled official visit to the dredging sites, Ogbonna directed that sand dredgers and tipper operators report to the Ministry of Environment for proper verification of their operational status and documentation. He condemned the increasing rate of illegal dredging activities in the area, expressing worry over the severe degradation caused by unregulated soil mining that has persisted for decades.

Ogbonna stressed the necessity for sand dredgers to harmonize their activities with the Abia State Government's regulations, noting that further unregulated dredging would worsen the already critical situation. The government is determined to restore environmental sanity and ensure compliance with environmental laws.