Palpable tension is mounting in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, as youths clash with the Sand and Dredgers Union, led by one Chief Andrew Odibo, over an unprecedented hike in prices of sand and the monopolistic practices allegedly endorsed by the sand beach owners in Ughelli.
According to sources, the union had recently increased the price of a trip of sand from ₦45,000 to ₦70,000, about100% rise without any clear economic justifications.
Builders and residents have decried this exploitative move, lamenting the significant financial strains it imposes on the people especially potential house builders.
A lawmaker and youth leader, Hon. Ese Agbobore, has also added his voice to the chorus of discontent, condemning the union’s actions and calling for its immediate suspension. He stressed the need for a transparent and balanced pricing structure that prioritizes the community’s interests over monopolistic gains.
Hon. Agbobore, who also serves as one time Urhobo Youth Leader, called for the suspension of the tipper union’s operations, advocating for greater freedom and flexibility for both Dredgers and Tipper owners to operate independently.
The lawmaker expressed optimism that by suspending the union’s operations, a sense of fairness and balance can be restored to the market, ensuring that the needs of the people are met without undue financial burden.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ughelli chapter, through its chairman, Comr. Efekemorae Emmanuel, has also demanded an immediate reversal of the sand price increase.
The council criticized the union’s restrictive practices and called for the dissolution of its monopolistic structure to allow free trade of sand.
The youths, expressed outrage at the union’s restrictive policies and criticized their rotational sales system, which mandates that sand can only be purchased from a designated members (sand beach) on specific days or weeks.
More annoying is the fact that any attempts to source sand from outside Ughelli is always faced with stiff restrictions and penalties, with tippers seized under the alleged backing of the monarch.
The youths in their anger have therefore issued a stern warnings to the Union to revert the price to N45,00:00, threatening that if the union does not revert to the previous price and dissolves its restrictive policies, they will take matters into their own hands, and sourced sand from outside Ughelli despite potential confrontations.