RismadarVoice Reporters, June 29, 2026
The Anambra State Government has commenced a crackdown on owners of illegal structures and individuals whose activities contribute to environmental degradation, including the blockage of waterways and indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels.
As part of measures to tackle flooding and other environmental challenges, the government has designated Saturday, July 4, 2026, for the commencement of a statewide desilting and waste evacuation exercise.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor.
According to the statement, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration has elevated environmental sustainability to a top priority and declared a state of emergency over the widespread environmental damage caused by human activities.
“The Anambra State Government, led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has made environmental sustainability a top priority and has declared a state of emergency over the serious environmental damage caused by people blocking waterways by dumping refuse and other materials into drains,” the statement read.
The government identified other environmental concerns to include building on waterways, erecting illegal structures, encroaching on drainage channels and rights of way, as well as excessive sand mining across the state.
To address the challenges, the government directed the immediate cleaning of drainage systems statewide and ordered an end to uncontrolled sand mining, which it said had significantly contributed to flooding and gully erosion.
The statewide sanitation exercise, scheduled to commence on July 4, will involve market associations, transport unions, youth organisations, community leaders, churches and residents across the state.
To ensure effective participation, movement will be restricted between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on the day of the exercise.
However, the restriction will not apply to essential service providers, including security personnel, healthcare workers, ambulance operators, journalists, firefighters and other duly authorised officials.
The commissioner also reminded developers undertaking new building projects to provide mandatory catch pits for effective runoff water management in line with existing environmental regulations.
Mefor urged residents to support the initiative and comply with government directives, warning that anyone found violating the environmental regulations would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
