Environmental Damage: Imo community urges Uzodinma to end illegal dredging in Iriamogu

Iriamogu Village Residents Call for Urgent Government Intervention Amid Environmental Concerns

Residents of Iriamogu Village in the Dindi-Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, located in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, have urged Governor Hope Uzodinma to take immediate action against the environmental degradation caused by dredging activities along the Otammiri River waterfront.

Community members express concern that the ongoing dredging could pose serious risks to public safety, threaten agricultural land, damage infrastructure, and endanger local electricity supplies.

Mr. Joseph Oforegbu, President-General of the Iriamogu Development Union, raised alarms about the extent of the environmental destruction occurring in the area, which he deemed unacceptable. Addressing reporters and members of a civil society organization, he indicated that if dredging operations continue, the community may be left with no choice but to initiate widespread protests.

Oforegbu noted that while community elders have been attempting to manage tensions and prevent confrontations with dredging teams, the situation may soon become untenable if the government does not respond effectively.

The local leaders have identified Marine Dredging Company as the primary source of the alleged environmental harm and have claimed that familial lands, roads, and agricultural assets have suffered significant damage.

Despite multiple attempts to reach out to the management of the dredging company regarding the environmental issues, community leader Mr. Christian Mbawuike reported that these efforts have been largely ineffective. He also alleged that the company has resorted to intimidating residents with security forces rather than addressing the community’s grievances and adhering to environmental regulations.

Moreover, Mbawuike emphasized that dredging activities have persisted despite the state government’s established restrictions prohibiting such work within an 18-kilometer radius of the state capital, which includes the Iriamogu area.

The community leaders recounted a previous intervention by the state government, where officials from the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals attempted to restrict access to the dredging site for trucks. However, they noted that this action did not result in any meaningful change.

Local leaders are now appealing to the state government and other relevant authorities for intervention. They express a strong desire to prevent potential conflict between the community and the dredging company.

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