Anambra State Government Directs residents to Desilt their Drainages in readiness to impending rainy season
By Chris Chikelue
Anambra State Government has issued a directive to residents in the state to clear their drainages so as to open the waterways for free flow of rain water even as the rainy season commences this year.
This was contained in a release entitled, 'Operation Desilt Your Waterways/Drainage Channels 3.0 Promoting Community Participation For a Sustainable Environment in Anambra State', signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Tochukwu Obodogha and made available to the public.
The date for the commencement of the exercise according to the release is Monday, April 27 year instant.
The release stated that the exercise is in pursuant to the Governor Charles Soludo's agenda to transform the state into a smart mega city and African Dubai-Taiwan Silicon-Valey and in line with the Public Health Law (2006), Anambra State Drainage Management Policy (2024), and Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law (2024) the Anambra State Ministry of Environment wishes to inform the general public that enforcement on 'Operation Clear your waterways 3.0 shall commence on Monday, April 27, 2026 across Anambra State.
"The operation is aimed at ensuring that all waterways and drainage channels are free from silt, debris and waste materials that obstruct the free flow of rainwaters.
"As heavy rainfall sets in, such obstruction may result in flooding, erosion and environment degradation, thereby causing significant devastation to lives and property, if not properly addressed.
"To that effect, all Religious Organizations, all Landlord Associations, Market Unions, Motor Parks, Schools, Estates, Streets, Churches, Abattoirs, Shopping Malls, All Neighbourhood and Public Spaces are enjoined to embark on massive disilting and clearing of all water channels within their locations, residences, shops, business premises and areas of operation to ensure free flow of rainwater during rainy season.
"This is to avoid incidences of flooding, erosion and prevent spreading of diseases among the populace of Anambra State."
The circular also enjoined the people of the state to properly dispose the wastes pulled from the waterways and on time to avoid the situation where they will be littering the roads. It also disclosed that enforcements and persecution shall commence in due course with severe penalties for defaulters.
According to the release, failure to adhere to this directive shall attract penalties as provided under the applicable environmental laws.
"A sustainable environment in Anambra State is everybody's responsibility, let us keep Anambra clean and green."
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