By Jude Atupulazi
Ahead of the rainy season, the Anambra State Government, through the Anambra Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA, has begun a massive desilting of drainages across Awka Metropolis, with a warning to residents to be cooperative in maintaining a clean environment.
Speaking to journalists in Awka during the exercise, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. Ossy Onuko said the Agency was launching, a one week intensive desilting of drainages along Zik’s Avenue, in continuation of its operation Clean and Green Campaign.
According to the ACTDA boss, the agency carried out the cleaning of 7.5km drainages to ensure that different areas across the city were free of debris covering the flood channels.
Mr. Onuko, who explained that the agency discovered that once it rained the whole place would be flooded, maintained that the agency was focusing on areas like Amaenyi, Majuo, Ichide, Igwebuike Junction, Udeke, Pakas, Eke Awka, St. Faith, Dike Park and Ogbugbankwa, implored people to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the drainage system.
The MD who reiterated the need to sensitize the people of the importance of clean drainage, said the agency would continue in its responsibility of riding the city of flood and related issues.
He however appealed to the residents to imbibe self-discipline by not throwing refuse into the drainages to prevent blockage, especially during rainfall.
‘We won’t continue to live like this, if we want development as we are clamouring for, we must imbibe the culture that sustains and maintains development,’ he said.
In their separate speeches, Chief Gab Tabugbo and Ezeobi Nwabueze, traders along Zik’s Avenue, Awka, expressed gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo through ACTDA for addressing flooding that threatened their building. They advised against removing concrete slabs covering water channels to prevent further flooding and allow free-flow of drainage system.
One of the notable residents of Awka, Mr. Aiza Nwosu, aligned with the government’s decision to sensitize the people of the implications of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and advocated for penalties for environmental defaulters.
The exercise involved desilting of drainages with heavy duty trucks to accommodate storm water.
