Sand Miners lament loss of N2bn in 10days to NIWA's contractor harassment 1
News

Sand Miners lament loss of N2bn in 10days to NIWA’s contractor harassment

Sand Miners Association, Anambra State on Monday said it has lost over N2billion following alleged disturbance of their activities by National Inland Water Way (NIWA) through its agent, VAMPTAGREGATE Company Limited.

It said the loss was incured since August 4, 2020 the agent commenced collection of Access Fees, till August 14, when it held a protest against the federal agency.

The Association described as breach of Court Order, alleged awarded of contract of collecting Access Fee from them and Tipper Drivers, to VAMPTARGREGATE Company Limited on July 13, 2020, after securing a Court Order at the Federal High Court Awka, in the Suit No.FHC/Awka/C/46/2020.

Chairman of the body, Sir Chris Mbaegbu, in a chat with newsmen yesterday, said the body, through its lawyer Mr. Gerald Ezeuko, SAN, secured a Court Order, dated June 26, 2020, restraining NIWA and its agents or contractors from further collecting the Access Fees.

“But NIWA through its agent allegedly continued the collection of the fees even after they embark on a protest against the Federal Agency disobedience of the Court Order, on August 14, 2020, and that has led to loss of over N2 billion naira by members of his association,” he lamented.

Reacting, NIWA Area Manager, Mrs. Queen Uba, said the letter which gave the Managing Director of VAMPTAGREGATE Company Limited, Mr. Stanley Nkwoka, the contract was a directive from NIWA headquarters.

She however said he was not meant to be collecting money, but was asked to make peace to ensure a smooth working relationship after the court as well as make statutory parents inherent in NIWA Act.

She said, “Whatever document concerning the contract that I signed was approved by the management of NIWA, whatever contract given to the man was just for him to make peace between NIWA, Sand miners and Tipper owners.

“NIWA Management wanted to see his capability of making peace for us and then other things will follow, we did not ask him to rush into the field to collect money and I know our lawyer must have called him to order after the associations protest.

“So whatever he is doing with them does not concern me or NIWA, if he is still collecting money or disturbing them, NIWA is not aware.

“NIWA as a Federal Agency has steered clear of the Sand Miners pit and also told the contractor, Mr Nkwoka to do the same and if he is doing anything contrary, he is on his own and not on behalf of NIWA.

“We have long decided to obey the court order, pending the determination of the suit and we have even called the contractor and Managing Director of VAMPT Agregate Company Limited, Mr Stanley Nkwoka to steer clear of Sand miners and tipper drivers business.

“NIWA lawyer handling the case has told him to steer clear from disturbing the sand miners and tipper drivers. If he is still disturbing them, NIWA is not part of his activities, however we will warn him again.”

Kindly Leave a Comment