Nigeria Federal Government bans sand mining around River Niger bridges
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a ban on sand mining within a 10-kilometre radius of the River Niger as part of efforts to protect the First and Second Niger bridges and safeguard critical national infrastructure. The decision was disclosed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Friday, January 16, 2026, during the commissioning of the Second Niger Bridge Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Monitoring Centre in Asaba, Delta State, where he explained that the restriction is intended to prevent erosion and structural damage caused by sand extraction near the major bridges.
Minister Umahi said the ban was approved by the Federal Executive Council as a proactive measure to ensure the long-term stability and safety of the bridges, which are vital connectors between regions in the south-east and the rest of the country. According to him, the measure is part of a broader strategy to protect key federal assets and improve road safety. He stressed that tolling on the Second Niger Bridge will not start until all access and bypass roads in the Anambra and Delta State sections are completed, and that security measures, including CCTV monitoring, are now in place along the federal highway to provide rapid response to emergencies.
The Minister also directed the Delta State Police Command to enforce the ban and arrest anyone found mining sand within the prohibited zone. Officials attending the event, including traditional rulers, commended the government for completing the Second Niger Bridge and expressed optimism that the new security systems would boost commuter confidence and protect motorists. They highlighted the socio-economic benefits of the infrastructure and the importance of maintaining its integrity as traffic flow increases in the region.
The sand mining ban is seen as necessary amid concerns that unregulated extraction can weaken riverbeds, cause erosion, and threaten the foundations of bridge piers and abutments, potentially undermining public safety and infrastructure resilience if left unchecked.
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