By Kennedy Aniedozie
The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, has on Oct. 31 warned that the state could face devastating environmental consequences within the next 50 years if urgent measures are not taken to address the growing menace of gully erosion.
Dr. Aguiyi disclosed that approximately 35 per cent of Anambra’s landmass, covering about 4,877 square kilometres, has been affected by erosion, with more than 1,200 active gully erosion sites recorded across its 179 communities.
The Commissioner gave the warning at Amawbia during the maiden conference of the Anglican Men Fellowship, Awka Diocese, Amawbia Archdeaconry, where he called on residents to take collective responsibility for environmental protection.
Speaking on the theme, “Our Environment, Our Future: The Role of the Church in Environmental Remediation,” Dr. Aguiyi described environmental preservation as a divine responsibility, referencing Genesis 2:15, which instructs humanity to cultivate and protect the earth.
He identified indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels, bush burning, uncontrolled tree felling and poor sanitation as major factors contributing to flooding, erosion and environmental degradation across the state. The commissioner noted that the effects of climate change were becoming increasingly evident through changing weather patterns, rising temperatures and the collapse of buildings associated with poor environmental practices.
He urged members of the Anglican Men Fellowship to demonstrate leadership in environmental protection by planting at least one economic tree before december, avoiding bush burning, ensuring proper waste disposal and constructing appropriate soakaway systems to safeguard water sources.
Dr. Aguiyi also encouraged churches to promote green evangelism by establishing tree nurseries in their parishes and distributing seedlings during baptisms, wedding ceremonies and other religious celebrations.
He called on religious leaders to intensify advocacy against environmental negligence, stressing that indiscriminate refuse disposal and the destruction of trees without replacement were contrary to humanity’s responsibility to preserve God’s creation.
The commissioner said the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo was addressing environmental challenges through the desilting of major drainage channels, reclamation of erosion sites and establishment of compost plants. However, he emphasised that government interventions would yield meaningful results only when residents changed their environmental practices, particularly at the household level.
Recalling the 2012 flood that submerged St. Peter’s Church, Amawbia, Dr. Aguiyi explained that blocked drainage channels, rather than supernatural causes, contributed to the disaster. He urged residents, religious organisations and communities to work together to protect the environment, warning that failure to act could worsen the situation. He stressed that safeguarding the environment today was essential to protecting future generations from devastating environmental consequences.
Kennedy Aniedozie is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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