Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Anambra State Government has declared war on illegal structures erected on waterways in Ogidi and its environs, identifying them as the primary cause of the devastating floods that have ravaged major commercial hubs, claimed lives, and destroyed property worth billions of naira. Following an on-the-spot assessment of flood-ravaged communities in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, and Trans Nkisi, Onitsha North Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Architect Okey Ezeobi, issued a stark warning: illegal plazas and shops built on drainage channels must be demolished to reclaim the waterways. “We have identified the problem. Traders illegally built plazas and shops on drainage channels, thereby blocking the waterways. Those shops must come down, and we must reclaim our drainages,” Ezeobi declared, emphasising the government’s commitment to providing a permanent solution to the perennial crisis.
The flood disaster, which struck last Saturday, has submerged homes, markets, and business premises across the state, with the Building Materials Market in Ogidi, Relief Market, Ochanja Market, and parts of Onitsha among the worst-hit areas. Videos circulating online show residents wading through submerged streets, while two persons are currently missing and feared drowned at the Building Materials Market. The force of the raging flood has swept away fences, left roads badly damaged, and swallowed vehicles, including a Toyota Venza. The disaster has displaced many families, forcing them to seek refuge in upland areas as communities struggle with economic and social disruption. One poultry farmer in Ogidi, identified as Chinyere, described her losses with anguish: “The flood has swept away most of my birds. I had waited to relocate them, but the flood came suddenly. It has ruined my hopes and wasted my labour. I borrowed money at a high interest rate to invest in large-scale poultry farming this year”.
After a thorough evaluation of the affected sites, the government delegation, which included the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Barr. Oseloka Ojukwu, the Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Clems Aguiyi, and the Mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, Engr. Stanley Nkwoka, concluded that the flooding is primarily driven by human-induced environmental challenges. These include the construction of buildings on natural waterways and the persistent blockage of existing drainage channels with debris and unapproved structural expansions. Ezeobi emphasised that the administration is prioritising the reclamation of waterways and the removal of illegal structures that obstruct the free flow of water, adopting a multi-agency approach to ensure that environmental regulations are strictly enforced.
The crisis has prompted the Anambra State House of Assembly to summon the three commissioners to appear before it on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to discuss measures aimed at managing and preventing future flood disasters. Presenting the motion of urgent public importance, the Minority Leader and member representing Nnewi South Constituency II, Johnbosco Akaegbobi, lamented the destructive impact of flooding on lives and property, noting that many residents have suffered significant losses due to blocked drainage systems and poor environmental practices. Lawmakers attributed much of the problem to indiscriminate waste disposal, which has obstructed drainage channels and worsened flood situations in many areas, particularly in densely populated commercial cities such as Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka. They also cited a case in which a tricycle rider was reportedly found dead in Onitsha following a flood incident.
The government officials have called on residents to cooperate with the authorities by adhering to town planning laws and desisting from the disposal of waste in drainage systems, noting that collective responsibility is essential to preventing future incidents of flooding. Ezeobi further noted that the findings from the inspection will guide the immediate commencement of remedial works and the implementation of long-term infrastructure improvements necessary to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of people in the affected areas. As the state braces for more rainfall, the message from the Soludo administration is clear: the era of impunity in building on waterways is over, and those who have contributed to this perennial crisis will face the consequences.
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