By Peace Udugba
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State has declared a state of emergency on environmental degradation, ordering the immediate desilting of drainage systems across the state and a crackdown on indiscriminate sand mining to curb worsening flooding and gully erosion.
The governor made the declaration while addressing members of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, describing environmental degradation as the state’s greatest existential threat.
Soludo directed that all blocked drainage channels be cleared without delay and warned that unchecked sand mining and the obstruction of waterways were accelerating erosion and increasing the state’s vulnerability to devastating floods.
According to the governor, Anambra’s environmental challenges have reached a critical stage, noting that despite having Nigeria’s second-smallest landmass, the state continues to lose valuable territory to erosion.
“Environmental degradation, flooding and gully erosion remain Anambra’s number one existential threat. While Lagos is expanding into the ocean, Anambra is shrinking. Entire communities are being swallowed by erosion, and even if we devoted the state’s entire budget for the next 10 years, we would still struggle to address the magnitude of the problem,” he said.
Soludo blamed several human activities for worsening the crisis, including the practice of diverting residential runoff onto public roads, indiscriminate waste disposal into drainage systems and uncontrolled sand mining.
“We have blocked our drainages, and there should be a state of emergency on desilting all drainage channels. Sand mining also contributes to erosion because removing sand creates pathways for erosion. We all have a responsibility to protect our environment,” he added.
The governor also announced plans to reform community governance following the recent Supreme Court judgment on autonomous communities in Anambra State.
He said the state government would introduce a new community administration law that would clearly define communities under each local government area and resolve disputes surrounding the operations of town unions.
“The Supreme Court judgment has settled the matter. Our new community administration law will include a schedule of communities under each local government and address many of the tensions surrounding town unions,” Soludo explained.
He noted that while town unions have traditionally administered communities, they remain voluntary associations, leading to fragmented leadership in some areas.
“When we conclude the reforms, communities will effectively become the fourth tier of government in Anambra State,” the governor declared.
Reflecting on his administration’s journey, Soludo contrasted the security and governance challenges at the beginning of his tenure with the progress recorded so far.
“I took my first oath of office under emergency conditions because of the situation we inherited. Today, things are different, and I assure you that we will continue working to fulfil our mandate. The new Anambra is on the rise, and we remain on course,” he said.
The governor urged traditional rulers to mobilise their communities to protect the environment by keeping drainage channels free of waste and complying with environmental regulations.
Also present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Ben Nwankwo; Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Barr. Vin Ezeaka; Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka; and other top government officials.
