REPORTER: BENJAMIN ILECHUKWU
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has called for collective action from citizens in curbing the environmental challenges ravaging the area.
Governor Soludo made the call during a statewide broadcast with a Focus on the Environment to mark the 35th Anniversary celebration held at Government House ,Awka .
The anniversary was observed under the theme, “Our Environment, Our Future, a call for personal responsibility and collective action”
Governor Soludo described environmental degradation, particularly gully erosion, as the “number one existential threat” facing Anambra State as the state marks its 35th anniversary.
The Governor, while reflecting on Anambra’s development journey, said his administration had made significant progress in tackling insecurity, but warned that the worsening environmental crisis now poses a greater threat to the state’s survival.
Governor Soludo described the crisis as largely man-made, saying human activities had significantly worsened the effects of the state’s naturally erosion-prone terrain.
The Governor while identifying human factors as one of the causes of erosion, said that more than 30 percent of Anambra’s land mass had already been affected by erosion,even as he explained that government resources alone could not adequately address the problem.
He also said that communities including Nanka, Oko, Amaokpala, Ozubulu, Ogidi, Nkpor, parts of Onitsha and Nnewi among others will continue to experience expanding erosion sites and emphasized the need for greater community participation in protecting the environment.
He directed all 179 communities to undertake regular desilting of drainages, while households are expected to provide waste bins, properly manage runoff within their compounds and desist from building on waterways.
Governor Soludo also called on traditional rulers, town unions, churches, schools and market leaders to mobilise residents to take responsibility for their immediate environment as well as environmental education through civic education.
Highlight of the event featured symbolic tree-planting campaign at popular fun city, Awka.
