The Dredgers Association of Nigeria, DAN, has appealed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in allegations of harassment, intimidation and extortion involving sand dredgers and tipper truck operators across the state.
In a statement, the association alleged that some enforcement officers had been impounding tipper trucks and demanding payments of up to N500,000 before releasing the vehicles.
DAN called on the state government to investigate the allegations and ensure that enforcement activities involving dredging and sand transportation operators comply with the law.
The association also raised concerns about what it described as interference in sand mining operations, citing a Supreme Court judgment it said affirmed federal regulatory authority over mineral resources, including sand mining.
According to DAN, it had previously issued Form 48 notices concerning alleged disobedience of a court order, following which the reported enforcement activities temporarily stopped.
However, the association claimed that the activities resumed after a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning regulatory authority within 100 metres of the shoreline.
DAN maintained that the shoreline provision should not be used to interfere with legitimate sand-dumping operations and operators who pay the required royalties to the Federal Government.
The association further alleged that concerns had been raised by the Federal Mines Officer in Lagos over the enforcement activities, but efforts to resolve the matter had yet to produce the desired outcome.
The Secretary-General of DAN, Richard Ntan, appealed to the governor to investigate the claims and facilitate a resolution.
The association said its members were engaged in legitimate businesses that provide employment and contribute to economic activities, adding that they should be protected from arbitrary enforcement and unlawful demands.
DAN urged the Lagos State Government to ensure that enforcement officers operate within their lawful powers and promote dialogue among the state government, federal mining authorities and dredging operators.
The association stressed that its appeal was not intended to undermine the state government but to protect legitimate businesses, preserve jobs and promote respect for the rule of law.
Lagos: Dredgers decry alleged extortion, beg Sanwo-Olu for intervention