– As Commissioner for Mines and Solid Minerals warns detractors.
By Kelechi Ugo
May 23 (Newshour.com.ng) – The Imo State Government has stamped out and closed down illegal sand dredging and mines within some designated areas in Owerri, the capital city of the State.
The Commissioner for Mines and Solid Minerals, Hon. Prince Martins Eke disclosed this in Owerri to our correspondent recently.
He pointed out that, the areas prohibited from sand dredging include Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and it’s environs, No1 to No 4 Old Road Nekede, Free Zone, Egbeada to Nworie River side and Umunkuto Nekede respectively.
Prince Eke, used the medium to explain more on the civil disturbance orchestrated by illegal sand dredging activities which include destruction of the ecological systems of the State, Erosion and many other menaces.
He pointed out that the State Government is also aware of the important of the miners and has approved the areas of their activities to include, Emeabiam in Owerri West , Umuagwo, Mgbirichi in Ohaji/Egbema and Ngor Okpala Council Areas of Imo State.
The Commissioner expressed his profound confidence in the Governor Hope Uzodimma, who on his instructions ordered the release of all the seizures from the illegal sand dredgers such as Tippers,Heavy loaders vehicles, dredging machines and other dredging equipment and warned them to avoid the prohibited areas completely.
However,the Commissioner further stated that they have adopted the necessary measures to ensure that the miners are united and in one organization to ensure that what ever message from the government will have a channel to get to the members.
“Very soon Imo State miners and sand Dredgers will conduct their executives election which will be supervised by the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals.
Our aim is to deliver and leave a legacy in accordance with the government of Senator Hope Uzodimma 3R mantra. We have plans to establish Mines and Solid Minerals Research Institute in the State where the Youth will be trained on how to identify sources of solid minerals and possibly how best to mining system. This will go along way to take over the national economy from crude oil to solid minerals based economy”. Prince Eke disclosed.
He used the medium to warn detractors whose stock in trade is to blackmail or sabotage the efforts of the government to desist forthwith instead of creating false impression and allegations against the Ministry to join hand to sanitize the system.
