Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has declared a state of emergency on the obstruction of waterways, blocked drainage channels and indiscriminate sand mining across the state, warning that the practices are worsening flooding and gully erosion.
Soludo made the declaration on Friday during a meeting with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime.
The governor directed the immediate commencement of statewide desilting of drainage systems and ordered an end to indiscriminate sand mining, which he said had become a major threat to the state’s environment.
He described flooding and gully erosion as Anambra’s “number one existential threat,” noting that the state continues to lose valuable land despite being one of the smallest states in Nigeria by landmass.
“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,” Soludo said.
“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.”
The governor blamed human activities for worsening the ecological crisis, including the channeling of residential runoff water onto roads, dumping of waste into drainage channels and uncontrolled sand excavation.
“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 said.
Soludo called on traditional rulers to mobilise their communities to keep drainage channels free, obey environmental laws and discourage activities that contribute to erosion and flooding.
The governor also addressed the recent Supreme Court judgment on autonomous communities in Anambra State, saying the decision had settled lingering issues around community recognition and administration.
He said his administration would strengthen community governance by formally integrating communities into the state’s administrative structure through the Community Administration Law.
“The new Supreme Court judgment on autonomous communities in Anambra State settles the matter,” Soludo said.
“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.”
According to him, town unions have long functioned as de facto governing bodies in many communities, but their voluntary nature has created leadership conflicts and, in some places, multiple competing unions.
“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 said.
Reflecting on his administration’s journey, Soludo said Anambra had moved away from the severe security challenges that marked the beginning of his tenure.
He recalled that he took his oath of office at the time under difficult circumstances because the state was facing serious insecurity, but said the situation had improved.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Those present at the meeting included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ben Nwankwo; Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Vin Ezeaka; Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka; and other senior government officials and traditional rulers.
