Anambra Targets Flooding Hotspots as Soludo Orders Action on Illegal Structures

By Ndife David, Anambra

The Anambra State Government has intensified efforts to combat flooding and gully erosion across the state, identifying illegal developments on waterways and widespread disregard for physical planning regulations as major causes of the environmental crisis.
This position was reiterated during a joint inspection of flood- and erosion-prone communities in Ogidi and Onitsha by the Commissioners for Works and Infrastructure, Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Environment.
The inspection team visited several affected locations, including Ogidi Market, Building Materials Market, Opi Stream, Marine Area, and Trans-Nkisi Layout, to assess the extent of the damage and determine immediate intervention priorities.
Speaking during the exercise, the leader of the inspection team and Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, announced that Phases Two and Three of the Ogidi Flood Control Project have been completed, while the design for Phase One is ready.
He assured residents that lasting solutions to the perennial flooding challenge are being implemented.
Ezeobi attributed much of the erosion damage to land grabbing, unregulated developments, and deviations from approved master plans.
He urged property owners to preserve designated drainage corridors and support ongoing remediation efforts.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, disclosed that investigations revealed that some traders in Building Materials Market, Ogidi, had constructed plazas and shops on designated drainage channels, obstructing the natural flow of stormwater and exacerbating flooding in the area.
He warned that all structures encroaching on waterways would be removed to enable the government to reclaim and restore critical drainage networks in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of building clean, orderly, and sustainable communities.
Ojukwu also expressed concern over the growing gully erosion threat in Trans-Nkisi GRA, Onitsha, describing environmental degradation as a serious challenge requiring urgent intervention and strict compliance with planning regulations.
The Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Clem Aguiyi, identified illegal construction, indiscriminate waste disposal, and the destruction of vegetation that naturally helps control erosion as major factors worsening flooding and erosion across the state.
He stressed the need for collective responsibility, urging residents to plant erosion-control trees, protect drainage infrastructure, and support government initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable environmental management.
Community leaders and stakeholders, including the Mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, Engr. Stanley Nkwoka; the Chairman of Building Materials Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo; and the Chairman of Landlords in GRA Trans-Nkisi, Onitsha, Chief Onyebuchi Ndulue, commended the Soludo administration for responding to their concerns and pledged support for initiatives aimed at providing lasting solutions to flooding, erosion, and environmental degradation in the affected communities.