Sand mining ‘mafias’ destroying environment, livelihoods –DG Odera

Busia, Wednesday, May 3, 2023

KNA by Absalom Namwalo

Excessive sand mining at Odioi, Akoreti and Balanda villages in Teso South Sub County has been flagged as the prime cause of environmental degradation leading to frequency in the occurrence and severity of landslides and drought that have been the norm in the recent days.

Speaking at Odioi mine which is the largest sand mine in Busia County, Busia Deputy Governor (DG) Arthur Odera urged the County Assembly of Busia to enact mining laws that will govern the extraction and protection of water catchments to reduce the havoc caused by drought and floods as a result of mining.

“Sand mining is the leading contributor to the erosion of river deltas and homesteads, damaging the environment and hurting livelihoods within the county adding unchecked sand mining has increased pollution and flooding and lowered ground water levels. Thus the need for government regulation to mitigate the operations to keep pace with rising demand,” noted DG Odera.

According to DG Odera, sand mining has tripled in the past two decades, with demand rising due to urbanization and modernization where construction has taken centre stage forcing majority of residents to lease even ancestral land for basic survival due to the high poverty index in the area.

“Sand is one of the most traded commodities in the county, and also one of the least regulated mining activities with little sensitization awareness about extraction impacts, hence its mismanagement,” he added.

“We want to see our natural resources exploited by investors but our people should not be left the worse off. There is nothing bad about companies coming to our county but they should observe the environmental rquirements and well-being of our people if they get minerals,” said Odera.

This comes after area MCA Dr. Bonface Erute engaged residents in dialogue to try and find an alternative source of income to address the high poverty situation.

Dr.Erute has initiated a bamboo nursery program to cushion youths as an alternative means of livelihood and urged county and national government to generate programs that support the majority of youths who are languishing in abject poverty.

“But so long as the demand for sand remains high and no alternative source of income is available, enforcement is close to impossible, as the economy of this area is based on sand mining ,” said Dr.Erute.

According to the MCA, the current legal framework in place are not sufficient, and “sand mafias” comprising builders, businessmen and dealers in the county flout existing laws on mining causing massive environmental damage.

The sentiments come days after legislators from Busia County led by Teso South MP Mary Emase urged the Directorate of Mining and NEMA to probe claims of excavation of gold at Alupe area by a Chinese company operating in Uganda.

“We have adequate information that a Chinese company based in Uganda is extracting gold from Kenya underground using highly sophisticated machines,” said Emase at Chakol Catholic Parish during a funds drive.

Butula MP Joseph Oyula now wants the government to facilitate exploitation of all minerals ranging from gold at Bumutiru and Alupe to sand mining to enable residents of Busia boost their economic status.

“While awareness of the impacts of sand mining has grown, more laws should be put in place to regulate operations so that affected families are not exploited,” said Oyula.

Despite discovery of minerals in the county, most families in Busia continue to live in abject poverty with the county poverty index standing at 83 percent.

“Communities are losing their land and their homes because of sand and gold mining, but the economic impact of people around these mineral sites is still wanting, thus the need for the county government to regulate the operation to benefit both investors and owners of land,” added Oyula.

Courtesy; K.N.A