A Delegation of the Anambra state government for an illegal mining task force, led by the Managing Director, Operation Clean And Healthy Anambra, Ocha Brigade, Comr. Celestine Anere has arrested over 30 suspects.
The arrest took place at Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area and Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area, according to the Ocha Brigade Boss, the move is in line with the state government’s resolve to save the environment as the state is speedily losing more lands to erosion as a result of illegal sand mining and other activities.
He would be recalled that the governor while commissioning the Alex Ekwueme Civic Center in Oko a few months ago, placed a ban on illegal mining, irregularities, or approval by any community or stakeholders for any excavation site.
Addressing men of the press, Comr. Anere the suspects will face the wrath of the law, according to him, every active mining site in the state must have the “Environmental Impact Assessment ” of the Anambra state Ministry of Environment, as the ministry has the requirements and procedures guiding such operations clearly spelled out in a bid to give Ndi Anambra a liveable and sustainable built environment.
Some of the arrested suspects pleaded guilty, saying that they were ignorant of the ban on illegal mining, whereas some of the suspects Mr. Emeka Kingsley, Ebele Onwuaso, and Godswill Ezeolisa denied ever engaging in the act.