The Federal Government has announced a ban on sand mining within a 10-kilometre radius of the River Niger, citing the need to protect the first and second Niger bridges.

The Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, disclosed this on Friday in Asaba during the commissioning of the Second Niger Bridge Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras Monitoring Centre. He said the decision was approved by the Federal Executive Council as part of broader efforts to safeguard critical federal infrastructure nationwide.

Umahi also clarified that tolling on the Second Niger Bridge will not commence until all access roads on the Anambra and Delta sections are fully completed.

According to him, the newly commissioned CCTV monitoring centre is designed to strengthen security along the federal highway and ensure rapid emergency response.

“The tollgate is ready, but we won’t start tolling on the road until we complete the access roads and bypass roads that lead to the bridge.

“The idea is that there will be no security checkpoints on the road; police and other security agencies will be at the CCTV monitoring centre and provide rapid response to emergencies within five minutes,” he said.

The minister directed the Delta State Police Command to ensure strict enforcement of the sand mining ban and to arrest offenders.

In his remarks, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, commended the Federal Government for the successful completion of the Second Niger Bridge, highlighting its socio-economic benefits to the region and the country.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Igwe of Obosi, Chidubem Iweka, said the opening of the bridge has significantly reduced traffic congestion on the first Niger Bridge and eased movement during and after the yuletide period.

Iweka expressed optimism that the installation of the security cameras would further boost commuter confidence and called for the speedy completion of the access roads leading to the Second Niger Bridge.