CHRISTIAN ABURIME
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has issued a stark warning regarding the ecological future of the state, declaring that environmental degradation and flooding pose Anambra’s number one existential threat, with 98% of the crisis driven by human activity.
Speaking during a milestone address and media engagement at the Light House, Awka, marking the state’s 35th anniversary, the Governor revealed that over 30% of Anambra’s landmass has been compromised, cementing its status as the gully erosion capital of Africa. He stressed that natural soil porosity has been dangerously exacerbated by blocked drainage systems, unauthorized construction on waterways, and reckless excavation practices.
The Governor’s Address made specific mention of Anambra’s shrinking landmass: Severe gully erosion is actively reducing the state’s total land area at a scale that exceeds total government financial capacity to combat alone.
He called for a shift in Strategy, moving away from a historically reactive, government-exclusive approach toward a community-driven model engaging local institutions, churches, and Umunna, among others.
While challenging citizens to reflect on environmental legacy, Governor Soludo asked what condition the state will be handed over to future generations and unveiled the comprehensive Anambra Clean and Green Initiative, designed around four pillars: Green, Clean, Planned, and Sustainable.
Emphasizing that the environmental crisis belongs to all residents rather than the government alone, Governor Soludo called for a collective responsibility. He urged every citizen to cultivate the habit of tree planting to restore the ecosystem and secure fresher air for the populace.
“The scale of this crisis is more than what government alone can solve; we must collectivize the responsibility,” Soludo stated, officially kicking off the state-wide green revolution.