By Joseph Momoh, D.S. Reporter
KENEMA — The Environment Protection Agency has demolished five giant dredges in a renewed crackdown on illegal mining along the Moa River, in a bid to protect water sources and river ecosystems in the Eastern Region.
The operation was carried out by the EPA Eastern Region Office in collaboration with law enforcement and environmental stakeholders. Officials said the machines were destroyed on site to halt further destruction of the riverbed and surrounding environment.
The EPA said the intervention forms part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the country’s water sources from the harmful effects of illegal dredging. The Agency noted that such activities threaten the quality of water supplied to communities, particularly around critical intake points along the Moa River.
According to the EPA, illegal dredging has led to increased siltation, pollution, and long-term damage to aquatic life, making urgent action necessary to preserve the river.
The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and warned that similar operations will be conducted nationwide to deter violators.
“EPA, together with relevant stakeholders, will continue to strengthen monitoring and compliance to ensure Sierra Leone’s rivers and natural resources are protected for present and future generations,” the Agency stated.
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