The Federal Government has imposed an immediate ban on sand mining activities within a 10-kilometre radius of the River Niger, citing growing concerns over environmental degradation and threats to the structural safety of Nigeria’s major bridges across the river.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during the inauguration of a CCTV Monitoring Centre for the Second Niger Bridge in Asaba, Delta State.

According to the minister, the decision was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as part of efforts to protect critical national infrastructure and prevent long-term damage caused by unregulated sand dredging along the river.

Threat to Bridges and Environment

Umahi explained that continuous sand mining around the River Niger has the potential to weaken riverbeds, accelerate erosion, and compromise bridge foundations, posing serious risks to the First and Second Niger Bridges, which serve as vital transport links between the South-East, South-South, and other regions of the country.

He noted that expert assessments indicated that unchecked extraction of sand could undermine engineering safeguards built into the bridges, leading to costly repairs or structural failures in the future.
“Sand mining around these bridges is no longer acceptable. We must protect these national assets for present and future generations,” the minister said.

Enforcement Measures Announced

To ensure strict compliance, the minister directed the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State to immediately enforce the ban and arrest individuals or groups found violating the restriction within the prohibited zone.

He warned that the Federal Government would not hesitate to prosecute offenders, stressing that the policy was not targeted at livelihoods but aimed at preventing avoidable infrastructure disasters.

CCTV Centre to Boost Security, Monitoring

The CCTV monitoring centre unveiled at the event is designed to enhance real-time surveillance of the Second Niger Bridge and adjoining corridors, improving response time to security threats, accidents, and infrastructure breaches.

Umahi said the technology would also help reduce the number of physical checkpoints along the route, thereby improving traffic flow and commuter safety.

Community Reactions and Expectations

Stakeholders from host communities welcomed the ban, describing it as a timely intervention to curb environmental degradation and protect the river ecosystem.

However, some community leaders urged the Federal Government to complement the policy with alternative livelihood programmes for residents who depend on sand mining for income.

They also appealed for faster completion of access and bypass roads linking the Second Niger Bridge to major commercial routes in Anambra and Delta States, noting that improved connectivity would maximise the economic benefits of the project.

Balancing Development and Sustainability

Analysts say the ban highlights the Federal Government’s renewed focus on sustainable infrastructure management, stressing that long-term economic growth depends on balancing development activities with environmental protection.

They added that consistent enforcement and collaboration with state governments and local communities would be key to preventing illegal sand mining from resurfacing in nearby river sections.

The River Niger remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic waterways, supporting transportation, commerce, and livelihoods across multiple states.