Anambra Declares Environmental Degradation a Public Health Emergency
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Anambra State Government has declared environmental degradation a major public health threat and directed owners of residential, commercial and public buildings to construct stormwater catchment pits to curb flooding and erosion across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, announced the directive on Thursday during the Idemili North Environmental Stakeholders’ Summit in Ogidi, warning that defaulters would face sanctions after a stipulated grace period.
Aguiyi said the initiative is aimed at retaining stormwater within individual premises, reducing pressure on drainage infrastructure and mitigating the recurring flooding and erosion affecting communities across Anambra.
Describing the situation as an environmental emergency, he attributed the worsening crisis to indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels, deforestation and poor land-use practices.
“Virtually every community in the state has active erosion sites,” he said, adding that flooding has continued to destroy homes, displace residents and damage critical infrastructure.
The Executive Director of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency, Dr. Nkem Okeke, noted that poor environmental management has significant public health consequences, including increased risks of disease outbreaks and poor health outcomes.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
