Anambra begins waterway, drainage clearance to avert flooding

Anambra State is proactively preparing for the impending rainy season with a comprehensive initiative to clear waterways and drainage systems. The 'Operation clear your waterways 3.0' exercise, set to commence on April 27, underscores the state government's commitment to mitigating the risks of flooding and environmental degradation.

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Ahead of the rainy season, clearance of waterways and drainage channels across the state will commence on April 27 as part of measures to prevent flooding and environmental degradation.

This statewide effort, spanning all 21 local government areas, aims to ensure that the free flow of rainwater is unobstructed by silt, debris, and waste materials. The Ministry of Environment, through its Permanent Secretary Tochukwu Obodogha, has issued a public notice emphasizing the critical importance of this exercise. Failure to clear blocked waterways could lead to severe flooding, erosion, and pose significant risks to both lives and property.

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We urge residents and stakeholders to participate actively in the exercise within their homes, business premises and communities.

The government is calling on all residents and stakeholders, including religious organizations, landlord associations, market unions, motor park operators, and schools, to actively participate. The directive applies to all public and private spaces, from streets and estates to places of worship and commercial centers. Proper disposal of removed debris is also mandated to prevent secondary pollution, with defaulters facing sanctions. This proactive measure comes in light of a Federal Government alert identifying several Anambra communities, including Atani, Iyowa-Odekpe, and Onitsha, as high-risk areas for flooding.

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The directive applied to streets, estates, churches, mosques, abattoirs, shopping malls, neighbourhoods and other public spaces.