By Amaka Isikala
The Anambra State Government has announced the commencement of a statewide demolition of illegal structures obstructing drainage channels, wetlands and floodplains as part of intensified efforts to tackle the growing threat of flooding.
The exercise, scheduled to begin on July 4, forms part of emergency environmental measures aimed at restoring the free flow of stormwater and mitigating flood risks across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, disclosed this on June 30 during an inspection of drainage infrastructure and flood-prone communities in Onitsha and Ekwusigo Local Government Area(LGA).
He warned that the government would not spare any individual or organisation found to have erected structures on designated drainage alignments or other environmentally sensitive areas.
“We are not going to tolerate any form of encroachment on drainage alignments, floodplains and our stormwater discharge points. We don’t care whose ox is gored,” the commissioner declared.
Dr. Aguiyi explained that the demolition exercise would be carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development under the State of Emergency on the Environment declared by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
According to him, all illegal structures obstructing drainage corridors will be removed without exception to restore proper water flow, reduing the risk of flooding during the rainy season.
He disclosed that communities have been authorised to clear illegal structures, desilt blocked drains and reopen obstructed waterways, while government monitoring teams will commence statewide enforcement from July 4 and sustain the operation until identified environmental threats are addressed.
The commissioner warned against the indiscriminate reclamation of wetlands, noting that such activities destroy critical ecosystems and increase the severity of flooding, alleging that many developers engaged in wetland reclamation operate without the required statutory approvals.
He stressed that land ownership does not exempt anyone from complying with environmental and physical planning regulations, emphasizing that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental Impact Studies and Environmental Audits remain mandatory for all major public and private development projects in the state.
Dr. Aguiyi directed that all Environmental Impact Assessment reports, including those approved by the Federal Government, must be registered with the Anambra State Ministry of Environment to facilitate effective monitoring and regulatory compliance.
He added that the ministry would continue collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure strict adherence to environmental standards by contractors and property developers.
The commissioner appealed to residents, developers and community leaders to support the government’s environmental restoration campaign by protecting drainage infrastructure, preserving wetlands and avoiding activities capable of obstructing the free flow of stormwater.
Amaka Isikala is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
