OCHA Brigade steps up enforcement against illegal sand mining across Anambra
By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes
The Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade, has intensified enforcement against illegal sand mining activities across parts of Anambra State as the state government moves to protect the environment and regulate activities capable of degrading the land.
The enforcement operation, led by the Head of Operations, Mr. Kenneth Ebochine, was carried out under the directive of the Commissioner for Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Professor Charles Offoegbu.
The exercise covered Awkuzu, Umunya, Umueri and Nkwelle Ezunaka, where the enforcement team inspected sites identified for alleged illegal sand mining activities.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the state authorities to check unregulated extraction of sand and other mineral resources, which can contribute to erosion, land degradation, destruction of vegetation and other environmental hazards when carried out without proper authorisation and safeguards.
Speaking during the exercise, the enforcement team emphasised the need for operators involved in mineral extraction to comply with relevant government regulations and obtain the necessary approvals before commencing operations.
The OCHA Brigade also stressed that environmental protection requires collective responsibility, urging communities, landowners and operators to cooperate with government agencies in preventing activities that could undermine the environment and public safety.
The enforcement across the four locations underscores the state government’s broader approach to environmental management, extending beyond routine sanitation to include the protection of land, natural resources and community infrastructure.
The authorities said enforcement activities would continue across the state as part of efforts to ensure compliance with environmental and mineral resource regulations.
