Imo State Bans Mining Activities Due To Environmental Destruction

The Imo State Government has imposed a total ban on mining and dredging activities within the Owerri Capital Territory, citing widespread environmental destruction caused by uncontrolled sand mining. Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals Ernest Ibejiako explained that years of unregulated mining have led to devastating floods, soil erosion, and the collapse of critical infrastructure across the city.

The ban was announced during a meeting with stakeholders in the mining and dredging sector, where Ibejiako reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to environmental preservation. He said Governor Hope Uzodimma’s government has formally notified federal authorities and demanded the revocation of all mining licenses within the Owerri Capital Territory, invoking the overriding public‑interest provision of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978. Despite earlier bans in 2017 and 2019, illegal dredging and sand mining have persisted, causing severe environmental degradation. The Owerri River has been dangerously widened, and bridges, road networks, and institutions have been destroyed. Entire communities and farmlands are under threat, and flooding has become a daily reality.

The government warned it will invoke the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 and its accompanying regulations to prosecute defaulters and enforce strict compliance with environmental protection standards. Ibejiako reiterated that the Uzodimma administration will support only responsible mining activities outside the capital territory, provided they comply fully with Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Management Plans, and Community Development Agreements.

In response to the state’s outcry, the federal government has sent a delegation of senior directors to assess the situation, and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development has been praised for the swift response. The ban on mining and dredging is expected to mitigate environmental damage and ensure the safety and survival of the Owerri Capital Territory, marking a significant step toward addressing regional environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development.