Sand miners, tipper drivers petition FG over alleged harassment, multiple taxation in Anambra

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By Sunny A. David, Awka

Riverine sand miners and tipper drivers operating within Onitsha metropolis on Friday staged a protest against alleged harassment and multiple taxation by Anambra State government officials, despite possessing valid licences and clearances from federal authorities.

The protesters, numbering about 150, converged at the Onitsha Area Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), accusing operatives of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) and officials from Ogbaru, Oyi, Onitsha North and Onitsha South local government areas of daily extortion.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Allow tipper drivers and sand miners to live,” “Our activities are legal,” and “Enough of over-taxation and intimidation,” the protesters insisted that sand mining activities fall exclusively under federal jurisdiction.

Speaking during the protest, the President General of the Riverine Sand Miners Association of Nigeria, Sir Chris Mbaegbu, displayed licences and permits issued by federal regulatory agencies, including NIWA, authorising their operations.

According to him, members of the association regularly pay statutory fees to federal agencies and contribute to the dredging of the River Niger but are still subjected to harassment by State and local government officials.

“Despite having valid licences and clearances, State and local government agents extort us daily. Just last week, OCHA Brigade impounded over 20 of our tippers, arrested workers, seized excavators and detained them. We paid between ₦300,000 and above before they were released,” Mbaegbu alleged.

Another sand miner, Chief Uche Okafor, appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene, describing the actions of the OCHA Brigade as excessive and damaging to legitimate businesses.

He claimed that OCHA operatives often scare away customers, vandalise equipment, and demand hefty payments before releasing seized machines.

“On one occasion, my machine’s tyres were punctured before it was taken away. I usually spend close to ₦1 million on repairs after paying fines to recover my equipment. Our customers are now afraid to come,” Okafor said.

Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Tipper Drivers Association, Chief Augustine Akigwe, described the situation as troubling, noting that members are repeatedly arrested and taxed despite paying approved levies.

Akigwe stated that tipper drivers pay between ₦1,500 and above per trip, yet continue to face harassment.

“I have written to the Governor, the OCHA Brigade, and the Managing Director of Anambra State Solid Mineral Development Company, but I keep being referred from one office to another. We should be told clearly what is required of us instead of constant arrests and intimidation,” he said.

In his response, the Area Manager of NIWA, Onitsha Office, Sir Victor Nwokeocha, condemned the alleged actions of the State and local government officials, describing them as reckless and unlawful.

“NIWA has exclusive rights to regulate activities on inland waterways as provided under Sections 9 and 13 of our Act. Harassing operators we have duly licensed is irresponsible,” Nwokeocha stated.

He added that petitions had been submitted to the Anambra State Attorney General, the State House of Assembly, and NIWA headquarters, urging Governor Soludo to call the officials involved to order.

However, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the OCHA Brigade, Mr. Celestine Anere, denied allegations of harassment and multiple taxation, insisting that sand miners and tipper drivers must register with the State government and pay internally generated revenue (IGR) since they operate within Anambra State.