MINISTRY BEGINS ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW TO REDUCE FLOODING IN ANAMBRA
By Chizoba Njaka
Stakeholders in Anambra State have described the rainy season as essential for agriculture, water supply, and livelihoods, even as concerns grow over the increasing cases of flooding and erosion across the state.
The Anambra State Ministry of Environment has attributed the worsening flood and erosion problems in the state to human activities rather than rainfall itself.
Speaking in Awka, the Head of the Department of Environment and Ecology, Mrs. Ijeoma Onyekwelu, explained that the rainy season remains beneficial for groundwater recharge and maintaining ecological balance. She noted that poor environmental practices such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocked drainage systems, and unregulated construction activities are turning rainfall into a major environmental challenge.
According to her, blocked drains filled with silt and waste prevent water from flowing through designated channels, forcing floodwaters into roads, homes, and surrounding communities. “When drains are blocked with silt and refuse, water leaves its designed course and floods everywhere. This is causing erosion, flooding, and other environmental menace.”
To tackle the situation, the ministry has commenced a statewide desilting exercise aimed at clearing drainage channels of sand and debris ahead of the peak rainy season. She explained that proper drainage maintenance would help water flow freely and reduce flood risks.
Mrs. Onyekwelu also expressed concern over the increasing use of cemented surfaces and interlocking stones in residential compounds, saying such practices prevent rainwater from penetrating the soil. She warned that this leads to excessive surface runoff, which overwhelms drainage systems and contributes to flooding.
She further disclosed that under the Anambra Environmental Management Protection and Administration Law 2024, property owners are required to leave at least 35 percent of their compound as bare earth and provide catchment pits to manage runoff water. The ministry, she said, has already begun enforcing the law to mitigate flooding across the state.
“If everywhere is free, water will flow on its own, no matter the volume. But when we compact our compounds, we increase the menace for everyone,” she added.
The ministry therefore urged residents to stop dumping refuse into waterways and comply with environmental regulations as the rainy season intensifies.
In a related development, a farmer from Ogbaru Local Government Area, Mr. Eju Peter Chimee, described the rainy season as a blessing to farmers and a critical period for food production.
“For us in Ogbaru, the rainy season is very important because it is the period for cultivation. It enables farmers to produce good yields and supports food security for the wider population,” Chimee said.
While acknowledging the importance of rainfall for agriculture and water supply, he advised residents to take preventive measures against flooding by keeping drainage channels clean and maintaining hygienic environments to reduce waterlogging, mosquito breeding, and overflow during heavy rains.
Chizoba is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
#Ministryofinformation
#Anambraisrising
#Informationiskey
#Solutionishere
#Solutioncontinues