In a bid to rein in the degradation of the environment around the Coconut Estate area in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, sand dredgers in the area have been directed to vacate the area within one week.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Bonny LGA Chairman, Sotonye Longjohn disclosed that this directive was given on Thursday, January 23, 2025 by the Chairman of Bonny LGA, Anengi Claude-Wilcox.

The statement further revealed that it was given when she took the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Maurice Ogolo, and other officials on an inspection visit to the area.

Kristina Reports learnt that the government views the unchecked activities of the sand dredgers as a major cause of the degradation of the environment there.

The aim of the joint visit, Kristina Reports learnt, was to ascertain the extent of damage done to the Coconut Estate jetty and its surroundings for possible remodeling towards averting the worsening erosion of the area up to the main road.

Speaking to the sand dealers, the Bonny LGA chief executive expressed displeasure over the worrisome effect of their activities, urging them to comply with the government’s directive for them to vacate the area on or before the end of January, 2025.

She explained that this is to allow the government and its partners to commence work towards remedying the impending danger.

Checks by Kristina Reports reveal that the Coconut Estate, which was the largest coconut plantation south of the Niger in years gone by, has for years been abandoned and left to be a shadow of itself.

It is currently being utilized as a sand dump by sand dredgers as well as barge operators who utilize the jetty as drop off point for vehicles and other cargo being shipped from Port Harcourt and other areas.  

But for the vigilance and kinetic sweep of the area by security operatives, aspects of the area almost became an ungoverned space and criminal hideout for unwholesome activities of different shades of criminal elements.