Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — In a decisive move to safeguard national infrastructure, the Federal Government has announced a ban on sand mining within a 10‑kilometre radius of the River Niger, aimed at protecting the First and Second Niger bridges from potential structural harm and erosion. The directive was unveiled on Friday by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during the commissioning of the Second Niger Bridge Closed‑Circuit Television (CCTV) Monitoring Centre in Asaba, Delta State.
The restriction — approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as part of broader efforts to secure critical federal assets — prohibits all sand mining activities along designated sections of the river that could undermine the stability and longevity of the two key bridges linking the South‑East and other regions of the country. Umahi emphasised that the policy is intended to forestall erosion and other environmental impacts from uncontrolled dredging that could weaken foundations or lead to long‑term degradation.
“The government has taken this step to ensure the safety and continued functionality of these vital transport links,” the minister said, underscoring the importance of preserving major infrastructure as part of national development objectives. He directed the Delta State Police Command to enforce the ban and to arrest any offenders found violating the order.
The First Niger Bridge at Onitsha and the newer Second Niger Bridge, inaugurated in 2023 to ease congestion and improve connectivity between the South‑East and southern Nigeria, are strategic transportation arteries with significant socio‑economic importance. The Second Niger Bridge — part of long‑term federal infrastructure plans — has been designed to support growing traffic loads and bolster trade flows across the region.
Uneven or excessive sand mining along riverbeds has been recognised globally as a factor that can accelerate bank erosion, affect sediment balance, and compromise bridge abutments and piers if not properly regulated. Such environmental risks have prompted the new ban, with officials citing concerns that unrestricted dredging near foundational structures could undermine these critical federal investments.
At the CCTV monitoring centre launch, Umahi also reiterated that tolling on the Second Niger Bridge will not commence until the completion of access roads and bypasses on both the Anambra and Delta State sides, a move intended to ensure seamless and safe travel for motorists once toll operations begin. The monitoring facility, equipped with a network of cameras, is part of a multi‑layered strategy to enhance security and rapid response capabilities along the federal highway corridor.
“The tollgate is ready, but we won’t start tolling until all access roads and bypass roads that lead to the bridge are completed,” Umahi said, adding that police and other security agencies stationed at the CCTV centre will be positioned to respond rapidly to emergencies within minutes.
Community and traditional leaders at the event praised the government’s infrastructure achievements and the new measures. Prof. Epiphany Azinge, the Asagba of Asaba, commended the completion of the Second Niger Bridge, highlighting its socio‑economic benefits, while Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, said the bridge had significantly eased traffic on the older crossing.
The sand mining ban reflects a broader priority for the Federal Government to protect essential infrastructure as Nigeria balances economic development with environmental stewardship and public safety. By restricting extraction activities near these major federal installations, authorities aim to minimise risks of degradation from uncontrolled mining, safeguard river ecology, and preserve the integrity of transport links crucial to national commerce and mobility.
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