The Anambra State Government has declared that government intervention on erosion and flooding will henceforth depend on community action, insisting that the era of impunity on environment and waste management is over.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, who announced this on Wednesday, at the Idemili North Local Government Stakeholders Summit on Environment, with focus on flooding, erosion, waste management and security, disclosed that the government has unveiled a new Citizen Code of Conduct on Environment to tackle environmental degradation across the state.
Mefor pointed out that the government agreed on three key actions, which include full enforcement of Environmental Laws, mandatory catchment pits for all buildings and community action as prerequisite for government intervention.
“Anambra has one of the most comprehensive environmental laws in Nigeria and Governor Chukwuma Soludo has directed full enforcement. Henceforth, all actions by individuals contributing to environmental degradation will be stopped through enforcement. The era of impunity is over,” he declared.
He explained that the Ministry of Environment will soon commence physical inspection of buildings for compliance, with a possible grace period for defaulters, adding that every community must constitute an environmental team to identify and report erosion sites and coordinate remedial action.
“Henceforth, government intervention will be contingent on full compliance with environmental and health standards. Communities that neglect environmental restoration will not receive priority intervention. Communities that demonstrate commitment will be prioritised,” he said.
He urged communities to go beyond identification by clearing drainages, desilting gutters and carrying out small remediation works.
Dr Mefor further announced that as part of activities to mark the 31st anniversary of Anambra State, Governor Soludo has directed the production of up to 20 documentaries on environmental degradation and erosion in the state “so that the whole world, not just Nigeria, can see the scale of the problem”.
The summit, chaired by the Chairman of Idemili North LGA, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, was attended by the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Clems Aguiyi, Presidents-Generals of communities, youth leaders, market leaders and other stakeholders.
