Anambra Residents React To Soludo’s Directive On Illegal Structures
Residents of Anambra State have continued to express their opinions following Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s pronouncement of zero tolerance and a “Stop Work” directive against individuals and developers building structures on waterways, wetlands, and drainage channels, and his declaration of an environmental emergency.
A town planner, Chief Ejiofor Nwokike, attributed the erection of illegal buildings to unauthorized real estate developers and the illegal reclaiming of wet lands or building directly over primary drainage outfalls without approval from the relevant authority, pointing out that once a house is built on waterways, the building definitely blocks the drainage system and the flood will force its way through any available avenue, thereby causing environmental hazards for residents.
He advised people to always engage experts when building their houses to avoid disastrous effects, and urged residents and developers to always verify land titles and check with the State Physical Planning Authority before making any purchase.
On her part, Miss Adaolisa Egbue told the state citizenry and contractors building on natural waterways to desist from such acts as they cause catastrophic flooding that destroys public infrastructure, displaces families, and threatens human life, using Owelle-Ajah, Obosi as a case study.
Miss Egbue advised residents of the state to abide by the laws of the land and commended Governor Soludo for the ongoing rehabilitation of some strategic roads in the state.
Baring his mind, Engineer Adol Ezenwelu commended the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, for his doggedness in discharging his duties, especially at Odoakpu, Onitsha, where he ordered the contractor building on the drainage to stop work.
