Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State Government has declared war on illegal mining activities in the state.
Managing Director of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (Ocha Brigade), Mr Celestine Anere, disclosed this during passing out parade of 700 Staff trained and retrained by the Brigade at National Youth Service Corps NYSC orientation camp Mbaukwu/Umuawulu in Awka South LGA of the State on Wednesday.
The MD said that they would take decisive action against any person found illegally mining and creating erosion channel in the state.
“From now onwards, it is war with illegal miners in the state. Ocha Bridge will find out all illegal miners in the state. We will arrest them and prosecute them, “he said.
According to him, the Governor has stated that the state will no longer tolerate further illegal mining in the state.
He said, “the state as erosion prone area will have zero tolerances for illegal miners.”
Anere said that they had already started stoping those illegal sand miners in the state and will continue to save the state from degradation.
According to him, they have already confiscated some trucks and an excavator.
He said that any person found mining illegally in the state, Ocha Bridge will confiscate his trucks and other mining equipment.
According to him, for any person to engage in any mining activity, there must be proper environmental impacts assessment duly carried out by experts.
He however advised the members of the Brigade to shun any act capable of tarnishing the image of the brigade.
