Soludo declares state of emergency on blocked waterways, illegal sand mining

Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, has declared a state of emergency on the indiscriminate obstruction of waterways and rampant sand mining activities threatening the state’s environment.

The declaration was made on Friday during a meeting with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, according to a statement issued by Christian Aburime, the governor’s chief press secretary.

Soludo directed the immediate commencement of a statewide desilting of drainage systems and ordered an end to indiscriminate sand mining across the state.

He warned that the continued obstruction of waterways and uncontrolled sand excavation are significantly increasing Anambra’s susceptibility to flooding and gully erosion.

Describing the environmental situation as an existential crisis, the Governor stressed that Anambra has reached a critical ecological tipping point.

He noted that despite being the second-smallest state by landmass in Nigeria, Anambra continues to lose valuable land to severe environmental degradation.

“Let me draw your attention to the emergency that we face: the environment, flooding, and gully erosion. It is Anambra’s number one existential threat.

“While Lagos is expanding into the ocean, Anambra is shrinking. Whole communities are being swallowed, and we are battling it. If we devote the entire state budget for the next ten years, we will still not be able to significantly scratch the surface of this threat.”Soludo said.

He expressed concern over the role of human activities in worsening the environmental crisis.

The governor cited the widespread practice of channeling residential runoff water directly onto roads, indiscriminate waste disposal into drainage channels, and uncontrolled sand mining as major contributors to erosion and flooding.

“We blocked the drainages; there should be a state of emergency in desilting all the drainages. Even people that mine sand contribute to this because, as the sand is being removed, it creates avenues for erosion. We all have a responsibility to protect our environment,” he added.

Shifting attention to governance and community administration, Soludo addressed the implications of the recent Supreme Court judgment on autonomous communities in the state.

He announced that his administration would strengthen community governance by formally integrating communities into the state’s administrative framework.

“The new Supreme Court judgment on autonomous communities in Anambra State settles the matter.

“Our Community Administration Law will include a schedule of communities that make up each local government area, and it will address most of the issues and tensions currently surrounding town unions,” Soludo stressed.

He observed that although town unions have traditionally functioned as the de facto governing bodies in many communities, their voluntary nature has often resulted in fragmented leadership and multiple competing unions within the same community.

“Currently, our communities are being governed by town unions, but ideally, they are voluntary associations. That is why you have three separate town unions in some places. When we are done, communities will become the fourth tier of government,” he declared.

Reflecting on his administration’s journey, the Governor contrasted the security challenges that marked the beginning of his tenure with the progress made so far.

He assured the traditional rulers of his administration’s unwavering commitment to delivering sustainable development and fulfilling its campaign promises.

“During my first term, I merely stood in front of my office to take the oath of office because the state was in a state of emergency at the time. Today, the situation is different.

“I want to assure you that we will continue working tirelessly to deliver on our mandate. Let us continue to push for the new Anambra. The new Anambra is on the rise, and we are firmly on course,” he said.

As the state government moves to implement the emergency environmental measures and governance reforms, the Governor called on traditional rulers to mobilise their communities to ensure that drainage channels remain free of obstructions, environmental laws are strictly obeyed, and practices that contribute to flooding and erosion are discouraged.

Also present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ben Nwankwo; the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Vin Ezeaka; the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka; and other senior government officials and traditional rulers.