FG Outlaws Sand Mining 10Km Radius Of River Niger
The Federal Government has announced a ban on mining of sand 10 kilometre radius in River Niger as a measure to protect the first and second Niger bridges.
Sen. David Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed this in Asaba during the commissioning of the second Niger bridge CCTV monitoring centre.
Umahi said the Federal Executive Council took the decision to ban mining of sands on the River Niger as part of efforts to protect critical federal infrastructure across the country.
He said tolling on the second Niger bridge will not commence until all the access roads at Anambra and Delta State sections were completed, and that the essence of the CCTV monitoring centre was to ensure adequate security along the Federal highway.
He said there would be no security checkpoints on the Federal highway, and that security operatives would be monitoring the highway through the CCTV camera and ensure swift and rapid response to security emergencies.
“The tollgate is ready but we will not start tolling on the road until we complete the access roads and bypass roads that lead to the bridge.
“The idea is that there will be no security checkpoints on the road, police and other security agencies will be at the CCTV monitoring centre and provide rapid response to emergencies within five minutes,” he said.
Umahi directed Delta Police Command to ensure implementation of the ban on sand mining and arrest any offender
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge commended the Federal Government for effective completion of the second Niger bridge and enumerated the socio economic benefits of the project.
Igwe Chidubem Iweka, the traditional ruler of Obosi and Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council said the opening of the bridge had reduced traffic on the first bridge and eased movement during and after Christmas.
He said the installation of the security camera would boost the confidence of commuters plying the road.
He called for speedy completion of the access roads to the second Niger bridge.
