Nigeria Content Online

The
Rivers State government has banned dredging within Port Harcourt
metropolis, comprising Port Harcourt City Council, Obi/Akpo and part of
Eleme Local Government Areas.

The state’s
Commissioner for Environment, Kinglsey Chinda, announced the ban in
Port Harcourt on Monday during a meeting with some dredging companies.

He explained that
the decision was to safeguard the environment, pointing out that the
preservation of the environment was a responsibility for both the
government and the public.

According to Mr
Chinda, the government acknowledged the role of dredgers in the
economic growth of the state, especially in the area of employment
generation and business investment, but noted that in taking the
decision, the government overlooked the monetary gains that would have
accrued to it from the business.

He stressed the
need for the companies to conduct environmental impact assessments
before dredging in any community, and enjoined them to always tell
their host communities the truth. He noted that the inability of some
firms to be honest had resulted in ineffective monitoring of their
activities, and impacted negatively on the environment.

Rufus Godwin, the
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, said the interest
of the ministry in the activities of dredgers was anchored on the
safety of Rivers environment and its people. Michael Odebode,
Commanding Officer, Hydrographic School, Borikiri, Port Harcourt,
decried the attitude of some dredgers and called for a sincere approach
by companies in their dealings with the people.

Also speaking, the Director, Flood and Erosion Control with the
State’s Ministry of Environment, Sopakirite Ikiriko, observed that most
dredging companies mobilised to sites without approval from the
ministry, noting that “such act is punishable”.