Ndi Anambra flouts government's directives to desist from silting drainages to prevent flood

Despite the state government's directive that all water channels be cleared, some people have continued to flout the order with its attendant consequences.

Our correspondent who went round Awka, the state capital and its environs, reports that many drainage systems have been silted up with sand and other forms of debris.

With the rainy season still very much with us, it has been observed that many people have been making the drainage system their dumping site for refuse, resulting in heavy flooding that causes destruction of lives and property.

A visit to Arthur Eze Avenue and Nnamdi Azikiwe Avenue both in Awka and some parts of Okpuno, revealed that people living around do not show concern but are rather doing business as usual.

Reacting to the development, one of the residents who spoke to the ABS, Mr Okafor Onwe, condemned the attitude of some people towards environmental management.

Mr Onwe said that a filthy environment causes diseases of various descriptions, more especially breeding of mosquitoes and called on the government to take drastic measures against defaulters.

On her part, Miss Jessica Chilozie, appealed to the government to desilt some of the drainages in Awka, cover them with slabs and set up a task force to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

When contacted, the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr Philip Chinwuba, said that they are aware that some gutters have been silted up and are taking measures to clear them.

He disclosed that all local government chairmen have been empowered and mobilized to clear drainages in their areas.

Mr Chinwuba said that series of sensitization programmes have been carried out to educate the public on the need to clear their surroundings and stop dumping refuse in drainage channels, warning that anybody caught would be penalized.



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