THE Ogun State Government has banned dredging and sand mining activities in various sites across the state with immediate effect.

The government explained that the practices are “constituting environmental nuisance and degradations in various parts of the state”.

A Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed on Friday when he led Environmental Assessment Inspection Team to Abule,-Oko Community, Magboro, in Obafemi Owode Local Government of the state.

He complained that dredging and sand-mining activities have led to environmental degradation in the community and its environs.

Oresanya said the state government has no choice but to announce the stop-work order as the development had equally impinged “on the likelihood and well-being of inhabitants of various communities where they operate across the state.”

He said, “No government worths its salt will allow these few individuals because of their economic gains to put the health and well-being of the general populace in danger thorough their activities which most times are illegal.”

Oresanya, therefore, warned them against flouting the “stop-work order”, saying “anyone caught will be prosecuted under the state Environmental Laws.”