Politics

Smart mega city: Anambra urban regeneration council meets critical stakeholders

As part of efforts towards the actualisation of the Smart Mega City target of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration, the Anambra State Urban Regeneration Council, AURC, has held a meeting with critical stakeholders in both state and local government levels to crossbreed ideas on how best to regenerate all degenerated parts of the state as mandated by the State Governor.

The meeting held at the Government House Awka, which attracted Transition Committee Chairmen, Heads of Service, Heads of Works department of the twenty-one Local Government Areas of the state, featured question and answer sections and as well, provided the participants with the opportunity to air their views on the urban regeneration agenda.

Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Chairman of Anambra State Urban Regeneration Council, Architect Michael Okonkwo who appreciated Governor, Soludo for the opportunity given to the council to contribute to the transformation of the state into the envisioned livable Smart Mega City, called for the collaboration of the twenty-one Local Government Areas Chairmen for the actualization of the target.

Architect Okonkwo while stating that the council is charged with the responsibilities of repairing degenerated areas of the state and coming up with policies and standards that will ensure sustainability in developing areas, noted that the council already had determined Urban areas in the state that need regeneration, and also generated work plans for the task, asking developers to desist from illegal erection of structures and always stick to development laws to avoid the wrath of the law.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, and his Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs counterpart, Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne reminded the Transition Committee Chairmen and the entire citizens that the present government of Governor Soludo is passionate about the environment and will do everything possible to ensure that the environment is conducive and livable, and asked the people to end all practices capable of resulting to erosion and other environmental hazards. Up Sot

Contributing, the Managing Director of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) Mr. Celestine Anaere noted that his agency is charged with the responsibility of enforcing environmental laws as directed by the Governor, warning that no one will be spared during enforcement, even as he reminded people of the state that recovery of the state from environmental hazards is everybody’s business and should be seen as such by all for a better Anambra.

On their parts, the Transition Committee Chairman for Idemili North Local Government Area, Mr. Chuks-Brown Igboanua, and that of Orumba South, Prince Nevil Uchendu described the institution of the Anambra Urban Regeneration Council by the Soludo government as apt, assuring their readiness to partner the council to ensure the realization of the state government’s environmental plans.

An Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant, Mr Godwin Ani emphasised the need for both government and non-governmental bodies to always consider environmental impact assessment law while embarking on any project to avoid environmental disaster, even as he warned landlords against siting borehole facilities near sucker pits, saying that such practice spreads diseases.

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