Obi-Mbieri Community Raises Alarm Over Illegal Sand Mining Activities
…Calls on Governor Uzodimma’s Commissioner for Industry Mines& Solid Mineral, Barr. Egemba For Drastic actions
By Anselem Anokwute
Residents of Obi-Mbieri Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State have raised serious concerns over what they describe as devastating and illegal sand-mining activities at the heart of their community.
The unchecked excavation, they warned, poses a grave environmental threat and could trigger severe gully erosion capable of endangering homes, farmlands, and key access roads. Of particular concern is the stretch from Orie Mbieri through Afor Nne Udo Market Square down to the borrow pit area, within a radius of about a kilometre, which has reportedly been converted into a sand-mining site by some individuals allegedly acting without regard for environmental safety.
Community sources said the activities are being carried out without any known environmental impact assessment or adherence to statutory mining and environmental protection guidelines. They further alleged that the Borrowpit sand Mining, worsening the ecological risks to Umuahii Obi-Mbieri and the wider Mbaitoli Council Area.
Investigations revealed that the borrow pit was originally opened in the 1980s during the construction of the state ring road linking Ukwuorji–Nwaorieubi, Mbieri, Atta, Amaimo, and parts of Mbaise. The site was later abandoned until some individuals allegedly turned it into a commercial sand-mining operation, deploying excavators and payloader machines with what residents described as “reckless disregard” for environmental regulations.
During a visit to the site on January 12, 2026, this reporter observed heavy equipment in operation and several youths engaged in sand excavation and loading. Speaking at the site, the Umuahii Obi-Mbieri Village President who falsely identified himself as the owner of the Borrowpit, Mr. Ugonna Achukuo, stated that the borrow pit was opened by Umuahii Obi-Mbieri people for sand extraction to support ongoing road construction projects.
Whereas the pit is in a serious contention of a rightful ownership as Achukuo allegedly sided and aide some group conniving with them to sell the sand to the Construction Company and individuals alike on daily basis with him taking a toll on percentage level against the interest of Umuahii Obi-Mbieri Autonomous Community.
He declined to comment on allegations of the massive commercial sales of sand, insisting that the site belonged to the community and not the Imo State Government.
Residents, however, questioned why such activities were allowed within a residential area, recalling that during the tenure of the former Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Rt. Hon. Ernest Ibejiako, mining operations were reportedly relocated away from residential communities across the state.
Several villagers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, described the renewed sand mining as a “time bomb” capable of destroying buildings, roads, and livelihoods if not urgently halted. They appealed to the Imo State Government and Mbaitoli Local Government Council to intervene and stop what they termed the “dangerous activities of unscrupulous elements.”
The residents also called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to use his “fatherly intervention” to urgently address the situation and prevent a looming environmental disaster in Obi-Mbieri.
When contacted the current Imo State Commissioner for Industry Mines and Solid Mineral, Barr. Jerry Egemba was surprised to hear about the ongoing sand Mining excavation in the area having passed a circular warning people to desist mining in inhabitants area and insisted the complaints should go through the HOD Mines in his Ministry for onward investigation and prosecution of the environmental offenders.
Meanwhile, the medium, serves as a pointer to consciencise the authorities officially to take drastic actions against the ongoing atrocities in the area just few distance from Orie Mbieri market square to Umuahii Obi-Mbieri Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli LGA.