Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has declared a state of emergency on the environment as his administration moves to tackle erosion, flooding, poor waste disposal and other environmental problems across the state.
Soludo made the declaration on Thursday, August 27, during a statewide media chat in Awka as Anambra marked its 35th anniversary.
The anniversary focused on environmental protection and called for joint efforts from the government, communities and residents.
The governor said the new measure was part of his administration’s renewed clean and green programme aimed at making Anambra cleaner, healthier and better planned.
He said environmental problems had continued to pose serious dangers to residents, communities, roads, houses, farms and other important infrastructure in different parts of the state.
He listed erosion and flooding among the major challenges affecting the state.
Soludo also blamed some of the environmental problems on blocked drainage channels, building on waterways, uncontrolled movement of rainwater, deforestation, farming on exposed slopes and illegal or uncontrolled sand mining.
According to the governor, more than 30 per cent of Anambra’s land area has been affected by erosion.
He said the scale of the problem made it necessary for residents to play an active role in protecting their communities instead of leaving the responsibility entirely to the government.
The governor said his administration had already taken steps to improve drainage systems and strengthen environmental rules across the state.
He added that developments that do not meet approved drainage and physical planning requirements would not be allowed.
Soludo called on traditional rulers, town unions, churches, schools, market leaders and community organisations to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and safe.
He directed all 179 communities in Anambra to carry out regular desilting of drainage channels to prevent them from becoming blocked during rainfall.
He also urged households to provide waste bins, dispose of refuse properly and control the flow of water around their homes.
The governor further urged residents to stop activities that could obstruct waterways or worsen flooding and erosion. He encouraged people across the state to plant more trees and take steps to protect the natural environment.
Soludo said the government alone could not solve Anambra’s environmental challenges without the cooperation of residents.
He called for a collective effort to protect the state and reduce the risks posed by erosion, flooding and other forms of environmental damage.
The governor said the administration’s goal was to build a cleaner and greener Anambra where communities would be better protected and future generations would have a safer environment to live in.
