‘About 1000 sites’ — commissioner says Anambra is erosion capital of Africa

The Anambra state government has called for support from the federal government and international organisations to tackle the gully erosion ravaging the state.

While unveiling the state’s programme for the 2023 world earth day (WED) in Awka on Thursday, Felix Odimegwu, commissioner for environment, said Anambra is losing arable land to the gully erosion menace.

Odimegwu said efforts to control erosion in the state were affected when the World Bank-assisted Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), completed its 10-year mission.

He said the state has run out of resources to tackle the challenge and would be needing support from the international community.

“Like you all know, Anambra is the erosion capital of Africa, the challenge is humongous that the state finances cannot carry it, we are talking about 1,000 active erosion sites with new ones still emerging,” he said.

“NEWMAP has exited the state, the project barely scratched the surface of the problem with just 13 sites and about seven completely delivered, the challenge is still very much here with us.

“So we are calling for global solidarity and partnership, international funding agencies, including the European Investment Bank, to assist Anambra to save its environment.

“On our part, the government of Anambra has awarded contracts for control works in some sites, including the popular Ekwueme Square gully erosion site in Awka, all within the limits of available resources.”

Odimegwu said some measures that the state government was taking to protect the environment include: desilting the drainages for easy flow of runoff water, planting trees, and implementing waste management laws.

He added that earth day in the state will be celebrated with the theme – “clean, health,y and sustainable Anambra”, with Chukwuma Soludo, the state governor in attendance.