Agency Collaborates With Stakeholders In Anambra State On Tackling Erosion
By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
The government of Anambra State through the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency, ANSEWCCA, collaborated with major stakeholders within the Old Aguata Local Government Area ,LGA,and its environ on the best approach to arrest the ominous incident of erosion around the area, and the entire state.
The Managing Director,Chief Executive Officer, MD/CEO of the agency, Professor Phil O. Eze, appealed to the community leaders and stakeholders to assist government, in helping them.
He continued that investigation conducted by prospecting donors has revealed that residents of these erosion prone areas contributed largely to the expansion of the havoc through their sand mining activities, inordinate channeling of waters, and wrong drainage system.
Speaking further, Eze informed them that Governor Soludo is presently having sleepless nights thinking on how best to ensure his administration deal decisively with erosion and environmental challenge, ravaging the state.
He added “We must prove to foreign donors and our numerous partners that the state and the communities are holistically, doing their bit in the war against erosion menace and other environmental and climate issues facing the state, presently.”
He added that the state will have an active State Erosion Committee which will visit all the senatorial zones, identify their peculiar challenges and proffer solutions.
Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide National Vice President, chie A. O Okeke Ogene who was one time local government chairman, town union president of Nanka (past) who talked at length, lamented the measures, campaigns, awareness taken by past leaders to help secure the Old Aguata area and its environ from this existential threat but it seems the organized sand miners of nowadays are not aware of the consequences of their activities.
Ogene stated that government must wade in to save the area from what is about to befall them in no distant time.
He called on the government, PGs, community leaders and stakeholders to rise to the occasion. There is urgent need for massive public enlightenment, he added.
Speaking further, he appealed to ANSEWCCA MD, Prof Phil to equally extend their supplication to the governor to get deeply involved with the view to stop forthwith the activities of sand miners with all force necessary.
The state government must work hand in hand with federal government to ensure FG stop giving sand mining license to individual or companies without the authorization of the state government.
Honourable Emma Akidi who represented Awgbu Community, suggested that government ought to provide palliative to those youths that have taken sand mining as their newest lucrative business as they are many and closing that business, there ought to be alternative to minimize social vices and crimes, caused by unemployment.
He said strict sanctions must be applied to stop sand mining in that area. “We cannot because of fear or menace of poverty allow the destruction of our homeland” He said.
Prof Phil Eze appreciated the participants to what he called “a great discussion for a smart, livable, secured and prosperous Old Aguata and its environs”.
He assured them of government, foreign donors, and community partnership to arrest further environmental challenge facing the state.
