Transition Committee chairman, Ekwusigo Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State, Mr. Chimezie Obi has warned against unauthorised sand excavation in any part of the LGA.
Mr. Obi gave the warning when he made an unscheduled visit to a place around Ihembosi junction where Tipper/sand operators were busy excavating sand without being mindful of its closeness to high tension poles and its consequent environmental impacts.
The TC chairman warned the excavators to desist immediately and move away their tippers from the place, to avoid the massive negative impact their illegal acts would have in the surrounding communities in a few years’ time.
“Today, I am here to beg you to stop and move away” he said. “Did I arrest anybody today; the answer is no. But from now onwards, I will be visiting here unscheduled and anyone seen excavating sand here will be arrested to face justice. If I take you to Awka, you will spend months in jail.
“What you are doing is an illegal act and if not stopped, it will have devastating effect in our communities in no distant time.
“Many of you are aware of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s determination to stop erosion in every part of the state. But now you are here engaging in an act that would worsen the situation. Please I beg you. This must not continue from now onwards.
“No doubt, I encourage people to engage in meaningful enterprise. But we must not engage in any activity that will negatively affect us in the future.”
