google.com, pub-3998556743903564, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Climate Change: Anambra Commissioner Advocates Stronger Environmental Measures To Combat Flooding And Natural Disasters

Climate Change: Anambra Commissioner Advocates Stronger Environmental Measures To Combat Flooding And Natural Disasters

By Ndife David, Awka

 

Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Dr. Felix Odimegwu, has outlined proactive measures to mitigate climate change and effectively combat recurrent flooding and other major natural disasters plaguing communities, states, and the entire country.

He made this announcement yesterday in his office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat in Awka while calling for a more robust sensitization and engagement drive on environmental protection and sustainability.

Dr. Odimegwu, opined that the menace and aftereffects of flooding and other natural disasters affecting the state and the entire country are avoidable if certain considerations are observed by relevant stakeholders. These conditions include encouraging continuous massive tree-planting exercises, as initiated by Governor Soludo, to promote afforestation, discouraging illegal sand mining and reckless housing development schemes along coastal areas prone to flooding, and ensuring proper land documentation and authorization for building development among individuals, communities, stakeholders, and the government.

Dr. Odimegwu maintained that the highlighted considerations will go a long way in controlling erosion, ensuring food security and ecosystem stability, boosting economic activities, and encouraging climate regulation and protection of both natural habitats and the management of land and mineral resources. "In order to completely save lives and property and to escape the seemingly annual natural disasters, residents, developers, and other relevant stakeholders must collaborate with both the state and federal governments to forge a united front to bring a lasting solution to the regularly occurring life-threatening situations," he said.

Engr. Odimegwu made it clear that the Anambra State law on environmental protection, which insists on the construction of catchment pits and green areas in new residential buildings in the state, is non-negotiable. He noted the effectiveness of catchment pits in channeling and draining water reserves after heavy rain, while green areas function as windbreaks and improve aeration in the environment.

He lamented that besides the annual flooding plaguing Anambra, erosion has also taken over 30% of the entire state’s landmass. He noted that the negative impact of seasonal flooding, climate change, and other natural disasters has far-reaching implications for the future of citizens, communities, and the environment at large. He called on all state actors to unite and collaborate with the government, sharing the responsibility of committing fully to salvage the situation once and for all.

While advising the federal government to construct more dams and dredge rivers to control water levels during the rainy season, he commended the Emergency Service Agencies for initiating prompt rescue and evacuation operations. He also called for a more proactive approach beyond merely establishing the free distribution of relief materials and setting up emergency centers for displaced persons.

Dr. Odimegwu further took the opportunity to commend Anambra State Governor Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for working tirelessly to make Anambra the light of the nation. He also applauded the staff of the State Environment Ministry for striving to safeguard the environment, noting that their significant contributions to ensuring a good living environment are yielding positive results.

 

 

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