Dredgers Association Appeals to Sanwo-Olu Over Alleged Extortion, Urges Governor to Call Alebiosu, Cardozo to ‘Order’

The Dredgers Association of Nigeria (DAN) has appealed to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to urgently intervene within the alleged “harassment, intimidation and extortion of sand dredgers and tipper truck operators across the state.”

Read the affiliation’s press assertion under…

The Dredgers Association of Nigeria (DAN) is interesting to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to urgently intervene within the alleged harassment, intimidation and extortion of sand dredgers and tipper truck operators throughout the state.

The affiliation particularly calls on the Governor to name Commissioner Hon Ekundayo Alebiosu and a senior official recognized as Cardozoto order over allegations that enforcement officers working below their authority have been unlawfully impounding tipper vehicles and demanding funds of as much as ₦500,000 earlier than releasing the autos.

The officers have allegedly been utilizing the Governor’s identify to justify their actions, typically accompanied by armed cops reportedly deployed from Alausa.

The officers have allegedly continued to intervene with sand mining operations regardless of a Supreme Court judgment which, in line with its interpretation, affirms federal regulatory authority over mineral sources, together with sand mining.

DAN  had beforehand served Form 48,a discover regarding alleged disobedience of a courtroom order, on the officers, after which the reported enforcement actions quickly stopped. However, the actions have resumed following a latest Supreme Court judgment regarding regulatory authority inside 100 metres of the shoreline.

Dredgers affiliation maintains that the shoreline provision shouldn’t be used to intervene with reliable sand-dumping websites and operators who pay the required royalties to the Federal Government.

The Federal Mines Officer in Lagos had raised considerations concerning the enforcement actions, however that makes an attempt to intervene had been unsuccessful.

The secretary basic of the Dredgers Association Mr Richard Ntan stated;  “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.

DAN urges 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 Dredgers association stress 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.