An immediate suspension of all sand dredging activities around the Deken Community Bridge in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, has been placed.
The order for an immediate halt in sand dredging was issued by the council as part of measures to prevent the bridge from collapsing.
It is a temporary safety measure and will remain in effect until authorities determine that dredging can resume without endangering the bridge.
The area has recently experienced severe erosion, raising concerns about the stability of the bridge and prompting the council’s intervention.
The LG chairman, Mr Confidence Deko, revealed that, “the decision was reached after an assessment revealed that the continued dredging poses a significant threat to the structural integrity of the bridge.”
Deko warned that illegal sand dredging could weaken the bridge’s foundation and potentially lead to its collapse if urgent measures are not taken.
According to him, “the suspension is a proactive step aimed at safeguarding lives, protecting public infrastructure, and preventing avoidable disasters.”
He further assured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of communities across Gokana.
The LG boss urged all individuals and operators involved in sand dredging to comply with the directive until further notice.
By this order, dredgers who rely on extracting and selling sand from the area will have to suspend operations, affecting their daily earnings.
Contractors and transporters linked to the dredging business may also experience delays or reduced activity due to the shortage of sand from the site.
