By Vincent Ujumadu
AWKA — The Anambra State Government has announced plans to produce 20 documentaries on environmental degradation and the erosion menace in the state as part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of its creation.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, said the exercise was aimed at showcasing the scale of environmental degradation and erosion across communities in the state to a global audience.
He said there were no fewer than 800 active erosion sites in Anambra, with almost all the 179 communities affected.
Mefor disclosed this at the Idemili North Local Government Stakeholders Summit on Environment, which focused on flooding, erosion, waste management and security.
He recalled that the State Executive Council, at its weekly meeting on Monday, unveiled a new “Citizen Code of Conduct on Environment” aimed at tackling environmental degradation across the state.
At the summit, the government declared that its interventions on erosion and flooding would henceforth depend on the level of commitment demonstrated by communities, warning that the era of impunity in environmental protection and waste management was over.
According to Mefor, the State Executive Council agreed on three key measures: full enforcement of environmental laws, mandatory catchment pits for all buildings and community action as a 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.
“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.
Mefor explained that the Ministry of Environment would soon commence physical inspection of buildings to ensure compliance, with a possible grace period for defaulters.
He added that every community would be required to constitute an environmental team to identify and report erosion sites and coordinate remedial measures.
The commissioner urged communities to go beyond identifying erosion sites by clearing drainages, desilting gutters and undertaking minor remedial works within their areas.
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