Erosion Problems: We Won’t Help You Until You Help Yourselves, Anambra Govt Tells Communities
By Our Correspondent
The Anambra State Government has issued a blunt warning to communities battling erosion and flooding, saying it will no longer rush in with intervention projects where residents fail to take steps to protect their own environment.
The state government said communities must first show commitment by keeping their surroundings clean, clearing blocked drainages and carrying out minor remedial works before expecting government intervention.
Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Idemili North Local Government Stakeholders Summit on Environment, which focused on flooding, erosion, waste management and security.
Mefor said the Anambra State Executive Council, at its meeting on Monday, approved a new Citizen Code of Conduct on Environment aimed at tackling environmental degradation across the state.
He said the new policy would be built around three major measures: full enforcement of environmental laws, mandatory catchment pits for buildings and community action as a condition for government intervention.
“Anambra has one of the most comprehensive environmental laws in Nigeria and Governor Chukwuma Soludo has directed full enforcement.
Henceforth, all actions by individuals contributing to environmental degradation will be stopped through enforcement. The era of impunity is over,” Mefor declared.
According to him, the Ministry of Environment will soon begin physical inspection of buildings across the state to determine compliance with environmental regulations.
He said defaulters might be given a grace period to correct violations, but warned that government would no longer tolerate practices that worsen flooding and erosion.
Mefor also directed communities to constitute environmental teams that would identify erosion sites, report them to relevant authorities and coordinate local remedial efforts.
“Henceforth, government intervention will be contingent on full compliance with environmental and health standards. Communities that neglect environmental restoration will not receive priority intervention. Communities that demonstrate commitment will be prioritised,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents not to wait for government before tackling problems within their immediate environment.
He specifically called on communities to clear drainages, desilt gutters and undertake other small-scale remedial works that could prevent erosion and flooding from worsening.
Mefor further disclosed that Governor Soludo had directed the production of up to 20 documentaries on environmental degradation and erosion in Anambra as part of activities marking the 31st anniversary of the state.
He said the documentaries would expose the extent of the environmental challenges facing the state to audiences within and outside Nigeria. “…so that the whole world, not just Nigeria, can see the scale of the problem,” he said.
The summit, chaired by the Mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, was attended by the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Clems Aguiyi, presidents-general of communities, youth leaders, market leaders and other stakeholders.
