Anambra seals hostels, churches, market over sanitation violations

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The Anambra State Government has sealed several student hostels, business premises, churches and a market in Awka South Local Government Area for failing to comply with the state’s environmental sanitation regulations.

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The state government had declared a state of emergency on environmental sanitation due to serious environmental degradation, particularly the blockage of waterways through the dumping of refuse and other materials into drainage channels.

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As a result, it declared Saturday, July 4, 2026, as Environmental Sanitation Day across the state.

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To facilitate the exercise, all communities and businesses were directed to observe a lockdown, while movement was restricted from 6 am to 11 am, except for those on essential duties.

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However, during the enforcement exercise on Saturday, operatives of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra sealed several facilities, including student hostels, churches and business premises such as Emmanuel Lodge, Mandona Lodge, Love Ambassadors Ministry, Lucky Up Shops, Eto Lodge, First Choice Lodge, Gift Lodge, Dominion City, Don Greg UNIZIK Park and Eke Nibo Market, over sanitation violations.

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The state officials also ordered a comprehensive structural integrity test on a building at Emmanuel Lodge in Ifite, Awka South LGA, after discovering visible cracks that could endanger occupants.

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Speaking to journalists during the exercise, the Commander of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra in Awka South LGA, Prince Ikechukwu Ndigwe, who led the exercise, said the enforcement team discovered serious environmental violations at the affected facilities.

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Ndigwe said, “This sanitation exercise is carried out under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ‘Operation Keep Anambra Clean’ initiative, which promotes environmental sanitation, public health and public safety across the state.

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“During the inspection, the affected facilities were sealed after it was discovered that they violated sanitation laws. Some of the affected facilities had been discharging wastewater, including sewage from toilets, into public drainage channels, creating health hazards for residents.

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“In one of the student lodges, refuse was seen littering the premises while drainage systems remained blocked due to poor sanitation. The caretaker of the property will be prosecuted for allegedly channeling wastewater into public drains. Such an act is a criminal offence under the state’s environmental laws.”

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According to him, the affected student lodge was already under a valid court order authorising its closure. He warned that anyone who obstructs, assaults or harasses enforcement officers during lawful operations would be arrested and prosecuted.

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Ndigwe added that the institution’s management, including the Dean of Student Affairs and the Student Union leadership, had been informed and was expected to support the enforcement exercise.

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He, however, urged residents and students to immediately report buildings showing signs of structural defects, especially visible cracks, adding that a monitoring committee comprising representatives of the local government, relevant enforcement agencies and student affairs authorities was inaugurated about three months ago to receive reports of distressed buildings and other environmental hazards.

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Also speaking on the cracked building, the enforcement leader for the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Nwachukwu Obiorah, said the visible cracks raised serious safety concerns and made it necessary to conduct a detailed structural integrity assessment.

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He urged students and members of the public to promptly report any building showing signs of distress to the appropriate authorities to prevent possible structural failures and protect lives.

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The Anambra State Government reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing environmental sanitation laws and ensuring a clean, healthy and safe environment across the state.

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The inspection team said relevant material testing agencies would be engaged to determine the structural stability of the building before further decisions were taken.

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Meanwhile, the sanitation exercise recorded high compliance across the state, with the government expressing satisfaction with residents’ turnout and participation.

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The state Commissioner for Environment, Clem Aguiyi, who monitored the exercise, described the turnout as encouraging, noting that the initiative would gradually gain acceptability among residents.

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“It’s a gradual process. People are aware and participating. For a first-timer, I am highly impressed with the large turnout and also impressed with the people’s excitement.

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“The whole idea of what we do today is to ensure that our drainages are cleared and free ahead of this year’s flooding. The exercise is just the commencement of a chain of events that will be undertaken by the Ministry of Environment in the days ahead.

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“The exercise is part of ongoing efforts to combat gully erosion and flooding in the state,” the commissioner added.

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He urged residents to adopt daily sanitation habits rather than limiting cleanliness to the monthly exercise, stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy environment.

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Also speaking after the exercise, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Soludo on Media, Ebuka Onyekwelu, said the exercise was part of the governor’s continuous effort to make Anambra a “clean, green, livable and prosperous homeland” in Nigeria.

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He noted that the state government intensified awareness ahead of the exercise, pointing out that the support given by Anambra residents was a clear demonstration of confidence in Soludo’s leadership.

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