Ughelli North Legislative Arm Cracks Down on Illegal Dredging …Decry hike in price of sand from N45,000.00 to N60,000.00 per trip

… Demand for operational license, Permit, Proof of tax payment, reverse new price to old price

By Matthias Ogbagah

UGHELLI – IRKED by an arbitrary hike in the price of sand in Ughelli north and its environs, the legislative arm of the council on Monday, January 6, 2025, rising from her emergency plenary session, threatened the long rod of the council on illegal dredgers operating in the council in the council area.

During the emergency plenary session held at the Ughelli North Legislative Chambers at the instance of the executive members of the Sand Dredgers Association and Union of Tippers & Quarry frowned at the arbitrary increase in price per tipper load, reversed the price to the old price effective from today.

The plenary session was presided over by the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Prosper Okeoghene Ajearo at the Legislative Chambers of the council.

According to the Leader of the house, Rt. Hon. Prosper Okeoghene Ajearo, the decision to reverse the price is in the best interest of the people of the council, adding that it brings relief to residents of the council who rely on sand for construction and other purposes.

While declaring war on illegal dredging in the council area, the lawmakers directed all dredger owners operating the council to present their operational permits and proof of revenue and tax payments to the government on or during the next plenary session or prepare to face the full wrath of the law.

The move aims to know registered dredgers and to put an end to illegal dredging activities in Ughelli North.
Present at the meeting are the stakeholders of the Sand Dredgers Association and Union of Tippers & Quarry Dredgers. Amongst them are Prince Andrew Odibo (Chairman of the Dredger Union Branch A), Mr. Oyibode (Branch B), and Mr. Peace Ubini, Chairman of the Quarry/Tipper Union Ughelli North, respectively.

Speaking to Rainbow Newspaper shortly after the plenary session, the majority leader of the house Legislative Arm of Ughelli North collaborates with Rt. Hon. Prosper Okeoghene Ajearo said that the decision of the house is meant to protect the interests of their constituents and ensure that the needs of the people are met without undue financial burden.