Anambra to begin environmental sanitation crackdown from July 4
June 29, 2026 3:07 pm
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo
The Anambra State Government has commenced a crackdown on owners of structures causing environmental degradation, as well as individuals blocking waterways and indiscriminately dumping refuse into drainage channels.
As part of the initiative, the government has declared Saturday, July 4, 2026, as the commencement date for a statewide desilting and waste evacuation exercise.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor.
Mefor said Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration had made environmental sustainability a top priority to address flooding and other environmental challenges affecting the state.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Government, led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has made environmental sustainability a top priority and has declared a state of emergency over the serious environmental damage caused by people blocking waterways by dumping refuse and other materials into drains.
“Other issues include building on waterways, erecting illegal structures, encroaching on drainage channels and rights of way, as well as excessive sand mining across the state.
“To address these challenges, the government has ordered the cleaning of all drainage systems across the state and the cessation of uncontrolled sand mining, both of which are major factors contributing to flooding and gully erosion.
“Saturday, July 4, 2026, has been designated as the commencement date for the statewide desilting and waste evacuation exercise.
“The exercise will involve markets, transport unions, youth groups, community leaders, churches and all residents.”
The commissioner said that to ensure the success of the exercise, movement would be restricted across the state from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
According to him, only essential service providers, including security agencies, healthcare workers, ambulances, journalists, the fire service and other authorised personnel, would be exempted from the restriction.
He also reminded developers constructing new buildings to make mandatory provisions for catch pits to properly manage runoff water in line with existing regulations.
Mefor urged residents to cooperate with the government, warning that anyone who failed to comply with the directive would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism
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