The Dredgers Association of Nigeria (DAN) has appealed to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to urgently intervene in the alleged harassment, intimidation and extortion of sand dredgers and tipper truck operators across the state.
The association specifically called on the Governor to call Commissioner Hon Ekundayo Alebiosu and a senior official identified as Cardozo to order over allegations that enforcement officers operating under their authority have been unlawfully impounding tipper trucks and demanding payments of up to ₦500,000 before releasing the vehicles.
According to the association, the officials have allegedly been using the Governor’s name to justify their activities, sometimes accompanied by armed police officers reportedly deployed from Alausa.
The association further alleged that the officials have continued to interfere with sand mining operations despite a Supreme Court judgment which, according to its interpretation, affirms federal regulatory authority over mineral resources, including sand mining.
DAN disclosed that it had previously served Form 48, a notice concerning alleged disobedience of a court order, on the officials, after which the reported enforcement activities temporarily stopped. However, the association claimed that the activities have resumed following a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning regulatory authority within 100 metres of the shoreline.
The association maintained that the shoreline provision should not be used to interfere with legitimate sand-dumping sites and operators who pay the required royalties to the Federal Government.
It also alleged that the Federal Mines Officer in Lagos had raised concerns about the enforcement activities, but that attempts to intervene had been unsuccessful.
According to the secretary general of the Dredgers Association Mr Richard Ntan “We are appealing directly to Governor Sanwo-Olu to call Alebiosu and Cardozo to order. We believe the Governor respects the rule of law and would not authorise anyone to use his name to harass legitimate business operators. Our members are carrying out lawful businesses, paying royalties and providing employment. They should not be subjected to intimidation and arbitrary payments,” the association stated.
DAN urged the Governor to investigate the allegations, ensure that enforcement officers operate within their lawful powers and facilitate dialogue between the Lagos State Government, federal mining authorities and dredging operators.
The association stressed that its appeal was not intended to undermine the Lagos State Government but to protect legitimate businesses, preserve jobs and ensure respect for the rule of law.
