But speaking to journalists in Nanka, on Thursday, the President General, Ifeanyichukwu Ezeike, described the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated, urging the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and the public to disregard the claims
According to him, the village, with a common boundary with the Oko community has no sand beach, while the road linking the area where the monarch and himself were being accused of sand mining had been impassable.
He alleged that his accusers intended to create an impression of chaos in the community to compel the governor to pronounce a state of emergency on the town.
He said, “It beats our imagination that someone in his rational sense can cook up unfounded allegations. As you can see, we had to park our cars up there to trek to this point because the vehicles couldn’t reach here.
“So which route did the so-called sand miners take with their heavy-duty trucks to come here? Besides, this road had been deplorable and impassable for several years.
“This is not the first time they are making such claims. Last year, they came up with a Save Our Souls claim, calling on the governor to come to their rescue. Yet they’re still alive today.
“I see them as frustrated people who can go any length to score their point. But this one is too cheap and should be ignored by any right-thinking person.
“Our traditional ruler, Igwe Godwin Ezeilo is responsible and well respected by the entire community as well as my humble self, being a clergyman and can’t be involved in such trivialities.
“Immediately the governor gave the directive against sand mining after a town hall meeting in Oko last year, we constituted a committee and passed a circular to all tipper drivers associations on the same matter.
“We call on the governor to ignore the rumour mongers. They want to create an impression that our community is in a state of unrest so the governor may pronounce a state of emergency. But 98 per cent of the people are united and peaceful.”
The Chairman of the Nanka Patriotic Union Erosion Control Committee, Emmanuel Ezeokafor, dismissed the allegations as the handiwork of mischief makers.
“Apart from my position in the committee, I am the leader of truck drivers in both Anambra and Imo States. Even before our appointments, we’ve been battling erosion in the community.
“Immediately I was appointed, I summoned the entire truck drivers to ensure compliance with the Governor’s directive. We’re also working with OCHA brigade to arrest and prosecute violators,” he said.
Also speaking, the former Chairman of Amakor Njikoka Development Union and member of Igwe cabinet, Emmanuel Obiekunie said the target of the rumour mongers who were insignificant was to gain cheap popularity.
He said, “We are comfortable with the state government’s directives on sand mining ban in the community which is erosion-prone. The leadership of Nanka traditional institution and Town Union are willing to implement it the later.”
The women leader, Chinyere Okafor, said the allegation came to her as a rude shock, distancing the entire women in the community from it.
“Soon after the governor’s directive, our PG went around the entire village, warning that whoever is caught excavating sand in the community will have himself to blame.
“So how can the same person who made the law violate the same law he made? This is nothing but blackmail. If they have any grouse, they should speak out rather than blackmail both their leadership and the community in general,” she added.
