Ogun bans dredging, sand-mining

The Ogun State Government on Friday banned dredging and sand mining activities with immediate effect.

The government explained that the practices constitute environmental nuisance and degradations in various parts of the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Ola Oresanya, ordered the ban when he led Environmental Assessment Inspection Team to Abule,-Oko Community, Magboro, in Obafemi Owode Local Government of the state.

It was learnt dredging and sand-mining activities have led to environmental degradation in the community and its environs.

Oresanya said the state government has no choice than to announce the stop-work order as the development had equally impinged “on the likelihood and well-being of inhabitants of various communities where they operate across the state.”

“No government worth its salt will allow these few individuals because of their economic gains, put the health and well-being of the general populace in danger thorough their activities which most times are illegal,” he said.

Oresanya, therefore, warned them against flouting the stop work order as “anyone caught will be prosecuted under the state Environmental Laws.”