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. According to Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Ernest Ibejiako, the decision follows years of unregulated mining that has resulted in 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 expressed the government’s commitment to environmental preservation. He stated that the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma has formally notified federal authorities and demanded the revocation of all mining licenses within the Owerri Capital Territory, citing the overriding public interest provision of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
Ibejiako noted that 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 has warned that 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 reaffirmed the Uzodimma administration’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation, stating that the state will only support responsible mining activities outside the capital territory, in full compliance with Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Management Plans, and Community Development Agreements.
The federal government has responded to the state’s outcry by sending a delegation of senior directors to assess the situation. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development has been appreciated for the swift response. The ban on mining and dredging activities is expected to mitigate the environmental damage and ensure the safety and survival of the Owerri Capital Territory. The government’s decision is a significant step towards addressing the environmental challenges facing the region and promoting sustainable development.
