Okpoko, case study for Soludo’s environmental restoration in Anambra

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, newly inaugurated governor of Anambra State, has made strong assurances for the restoration of the state’s environment in his administration.

Soludo in his inaugural address on March 17, assured that as part of the five key pillars of his administration, he will provide an environment that is clean, green and planned.

He said, “We aim to transit beyond petroleum into the digital world of the 4th Industrial Revolution, and envision Anambra as an industrial, technology, and leisure/entertainment hub of West Africa.

“Our detailed Plan rests on five key pillars: law and order (homeland peace and security); economic transformation as Nigeria’s next axis of industrial-tech and leisure; competitive and progressive social agenda (education, health, youth, women and vulnerable groups); Governance, rule of law and a rebirth of our value system; and aggressively tackling our existential threat posed by the environment—towards a clean, green, planned and sustainable cities, communities, and markets.

“For me, this agenda is also personal: I am here to build a society where I would be proud to live in after leaving office.

“Tomorrow (March 18) we will head to Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area and parts of Onitsha and Idemili as we signpost our commitment to fundamental urban regeneration, beginning with the greater Onitsha metropolis.”

The governor was sure of his words because he fulfilled his statement the next day by embarking on a 2-day working visit to Okpoko, assessing the environment and planning towards achieving his plan.

ANAMBRA’S ENVIRONMENTAL STATE

Anambra is one of the South Eastern state that is mostly affected by gully erosion. A former commissioner of Works, Chief Marcel Ifejiofor, had disclosed that Anambra has more than 1,000 active erosion sites.

Most popular of them is the Agulu-Nanka area that covers an area of about 1100 km. The gullying started around 1850 and the rate of gully growth is estimated at 20-50 m year.

Apart from erosion, other environmental hazards affecting the state include poor municipal solid waste management, flooding, indiscriminate faecal waste disposal, poor disposal of liquid waste, water pollution and air pollution.

Past administrations, especially the past governor, Willie Obiano in his drive for a healthy environment, called for Anambra to be declared an “Ecologically Endangered State.”

Obiano, before handing over to Soludo, took steps to confront the menace by setting up the Anambra offices of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) and Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency to tackle the threat of gully erosion on a permanent basis.

OKPOKO, STARTING POINT FOR GREAT TRANSFORMATION

For Soludo, Okpoko is the starting point to achieve environmental restoration in Anambra.

Okpoko is a town in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. It is a sprawling slum near Onitsha, notorious for street urchins and lacks roads, potable water and liveable homes.

Describing the environment of Okpoko, NatureNews gathered that most of the houses are makeshift houses otherwise known as “Batcha” and those who live in brick houses, live in very dilapidated ones, while toilets attached to them are far away from the compound.

Okpoko is also notorious for producing fake products like juice and wine, which are known to be in high demand in the market.

WHY OKPOKO?
One may wonder why the governor chose to start this environmental transformation in Okpoko, afterall Okpoko may not be the only slum area in the state.

Okpoko is a an area with a good number of population. As of 2007, Okpoko had an estimated population of 177,608.

It is close to Onitsha, an ancient city located on the eastern bank of the Niger River, Anambra State. Onitsha is known for its river port and as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and education.

It hosts the Onitsha Main Market, the largest market in Africa in terms of geographical size and volume of goods. Many residents of Okpoko do their businesses in Onitsha.

Soludo, who arrived in the company with his deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim and other entourage, went round the various communities.

The governor expressed concern over the mountainous heaps of refuse that welcomed him.

The governor expressed unhappiness with the level of decadence in Okpoko and promised to sanitise the place. He said works would begin in the area immediately.

Speaking on why he is starting from Okpoko, he said, “Okpoko is the largest Urban slum in Anambra State. Therefore, we have to begin our urban renewal effort from our weakest link.

Soludo, who addressed the community leaders and members at the St. Lwanga Catholic Church, Okpoko, after visiting other areas, said the people of Okpoko needed more government attention than any part of the state at the moment.

Also, Mr Joe Anatune, head of media of Soludo’s media office in a statement said, “On March 17, 2022, Ndi Anambra will embark on a tough but hugely fascinating and rewarding journey to a Liveable and Prosperous Smart Megacity as envisioned by Cee Cee Soludo who the people overwhelmingly elected as Governor on November 6, 2021.

“We alluringly christened the process of attaining this journey as The Great Transformation. The final outcome is that, firstly, Anambra will become irresistibly appealing to the world as the choice place to live, do business and relax. Furthermore, the 179 or so communities that make up Anambra State will be digitally connected to the ambitious sustainable development agenda of the incoming Government.

“Okpoko, a sprawling slum near Onitsha in Ogbaru Local Government Area will be the starting touch point of The Great Transformation with the planned facility visit of Soludo to the slum to launch its upgrading programme. Onitsha, which sadly wears the toga of the headquarters of air pollution in the world, will in quick succession receive the attention of the incoming Governor.

“The incoming government, like any other government, will face the challenges of ensuring that the people are safe, healthy, gainfully employed, have access to clean water, breathe clean air, get access to functional and quality education and more.

“Taking into account the local context and global trends, Soludo figures that the use of data and technology will be a more efficient and effective means of addressing the development imperatives of the State and improving the quality of life of the citizens.”