The Anambra State Government has declared a state of emergency on environmental degradation, announcing sweeping measures that will restrict movement across the state for five hours on Saturday, July 4, as authorities begin a statewide clampdown against blocked drainages, illegal structures and excessive sand mining.
The government said the emergency became necessary following what it described as worsening environmental destruction caused by indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, construction on waterways, encroachment on drainage corridors and rights of way, as well as uncontrolled sand mining.
This was contained in a public service announcement jointly signed by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, and the Commissioner for Environment, Clem Aguiyi.
“The Anambra State Government, led by Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has declared a state of emergency because of serious environmental damage, especially from people blocking waterways by dumping trash and other materials in the drains,” the statement read.
“Others include building on waterways, erection of illegal structures and encroachments on drainage and right of way, as well as excessive sand mining across the state.”
