As a home grown who even attended Uga Boys Secondary School on foot from his father’s house in Isuofia.
As a development enthusiast who is Sociopolitically aware and environmentally familiar with his homeland, and as the Chairman of Anambra Vision 2070, Charlie Nwa Mgbafor as he was christened in Isuofia during his early years, had already identified, spoken of, and written, even in the People’s Manifesto, that Erosion is Anambra’s number one existential threat, so he has always been aware of the enormity of work and readiness required of him as Governor to tackle this Hydra-headed environmental issue. Of course, he made it one of the Cardinal Points of his Administration’s Plan.
Be reminded that Anambra has become the State with the smallest landmass after Lagos State embarked on reclaiming Oceans and other Water bodies. Now at least
40% of the total Anambra land area in the state is currently severely eroded, thereby invariably making Anambra the erosion capital of Nigeria.
This monster has taken its toll on the socioeconomic wellbeing of Ndi Anambra living in the State such that lands used for aesthetic, agricultural and industrial purposes, including ancestral homes, crops, livestock and other infrastructure are everyday lost to it at an alarming rate…It is not as if it started today, field studies showed that this our Achilles heel has remained active over the years.
To some other places outside Anambra, erosion causes could be limited to rainfall, flooding, winds, deforestation and other primary causes, but in Anambra, ours include geologic, geotechnical, hydrogeologic, hydrogeochemical, climatic and anthropogenic factors, according to The INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Volume 2, No 2, 2011 of the Geological Sciences Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
What Has Mr Governor Done?
Here are some
Before Governor Soludo came, hundreds of houses had been lost because of the age long Ezioko erosion.
¶- Nevertheless, according to Engr Chuka Ezike, an Oko Community resident,
The intervention by Governor Soludo just in the last year, have saved more than 50 houses from being gulped by the Ezioko Erosion.
Hon Barr Casmir Chukwunonso Nwafor, the PG of Oko Town Union and also, the Local Government Chairman of Orumba North LG Area, said before now, that Gov Soludo have shown interest and strongly and effectively engaged Ezioko Erosion and treated Oko Community in a way that has proven his love and respect for one of his political fathers, HE, The Former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ide of Oko, Late Chief Alex Ekwueme, beyond reasonable doubt and have bettered the attempt of every other past governor of Anambra State. He also Stated that Mr Governor’s promise to build a hanging bridge over the Eziabo Oko village érosion site which he has caused to be visited severally is novel novel and very creative in the entire history and efforts in the control of Ezioko Erosion.
¶- The Nkpor-Ideani-Nnobi federal road was cut off as a result of erosion. The road is a major road which links Onitsha and environs with Nobi, Nnewi and other parts of Anambra South local government area. Today Mr Governor has controlled that one and moved on to other areas in the over 1000 erosion sites in Anambra State.
¶- Anyone around Awka can take an evening walk and see how decisively this government has handled the erosion control work at the ongoing government house and governor’s lodge. This Erosion wanted to claim the federal secretariat, state house of Assembly, Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square and environs.
¶- At Ozubulu, along Onitsha-Owerri road, Governor Soludo also intervened heavily, largely because it is a road that service ndi Anambra. It is federal road, remember! But Mr Governor didn’t give that as any excuse. He came prepared.
¶- Meanwhile, at the Oba axis of the same Onitsha-Owerri road, a landslide occurred. The road as a critical road, links Lagos and other South West states with South East and South South. The Governor have brought SOLUTION there.
¶- The erosion control work at Milatel, behind the temporary government house, Awka is ongoing as well. It is over 75 percent completed.
¶- Another gully erosion is threatening to severe a road in Awgbu community, Orumba North local government. The contract was recently awarded by Governor Soludo’s administration. According to the contractor, Engr. Nwolisa George, work will commence at the site in a month’s time.
¶- The Ebenator, Nnewi South local government area erosion control work have been completed. According to
Engr. Felix Odimegwu, he said his tears has been wiped.
Hon. Ikenna Aniagboso, TC Chairman Nnewi South, said it’s a new dawn in Ebenator-Ozulogu Town.
According to Ofoneme Daniel-Scot; “Mr Governor have saved people, houses, school building and many other infrastructure, and he was very fast in attending to the unsettling concern of Ezinator Community and Nnewi South are proud of him”
¶- The Governor has controlled the heavy erosion at Ezi Ulasi, Uli in Ihiala local government area.
¶- The Agulu-Awka/Paul University flood erosion site have also been awarded by this government.
¶- Anambra State Ministry of Environment have also lunched the Tree Planting Campaign.
The wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nonye Soludo, during this event, emphasized the importance of trees in the ecosystem, encouraging residents to support the state’s tree planting and urban forestation initiative.
Are There Concerns?
Yes!
Unfortunately, because of the huge sums of money involved in erosion control works, the state resources cannot adequately attend to all these.
In spite of the fact that Governor Soludo has paid the five hundred million naira counterpart fund for several erosion control works in the state, more needs to be done.
Good spirited Individuals, have tried in several ways and the State Government continues to appreciate such display of patriotism, but as an existential treat, we are encouraged to continue doing our best to combat this Haram according to our different capacities as ever resilient sons and daughters of Anambra. There is something everyone can do.
Other Ways To Help Ourselves.
As prevention continues to be more important than cure, and as a stitch in time continues to save nine, measures such as afforestation, construction of catchment pits within the vicinity for control or run-off water, collection of debris and silt, regular desilting of drainage systems, as well as other behavioural changes, are encouraged among ndi Anambra.
As Mr Governor will always say, “Anambra will win”
Thanks for reading🙏🏽
Writen by Obinna J Nwankwo
For Solution Digest
Remember to follow us on Solution Digest Radio Programs (Solution Digest Hour) in any of those your favorite Radio Stations, and we’ll surely be there. Be it Wazobia, Choice, Authority, Sapiensia, Kpakpando, etc
Check out The Solution Digest, on Facebook and X pages.
Never forget to :
WATCH SOLUTION FOOTPRINTS ON;
CHANNELS TV
TIME:* 9:30pm *WAT _Every Sunday…
ON Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS)
TIME: 9pm Every Monday, 8.30pm Every Wednesday, 10am Every Friday.. WAT.
AND ON ARISE TV
TIME:* 7:30pm *WAT _Every Thursday..
Engage:
Anambra State Knew Media
Soludo TV
Solution In The Hinterlands
I-Witness Media
On all Social Media platforms.
_For everything you want to know about Mr Governor’s Solution Administration in Anambra State.
