Environment: Sen. Ekwunife Condemns Growing Spate of Degradation, Demands Action

Worried by the growing spate of environmental degradation in Anambra State, the former senator representing Anambra Central senatorial district Iyom Uche Ekwunife, has called for caution in the state’s mining operations.

The lawmaker who disclosed this during a town hall meeting with Anambra indegines in Abuja, which was organized by the governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, noted that environmental laws exist to regulate sand mining, but that these laws are not being enforced.

No doubt, Ekwunife’s experience as House Committee Chairman on Environment in the 7th Assembly is endowed with excellent ideas and hands on experience regarding environmental best practices.

She advocated stiffer penalties against environmental polluters, calling for a state policy that would check cases of environmental degradation caused by sand miners, as well as solutions to remedy identified cases.

She urged households in the state to make good use of the coconut and palm seedlings provided by the state government to checkmate erosion within their various domains.

The Senator advised the state government to guide and monitor the planting of the economic trees by households to ensure proper reinforcement of the environment against natural and man-made erosion which she described as very destructive.

Speaking further, she highlighted the importance of the presentation made by the immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige on High School skill acquisition schemes, noting the need to energize community banks with funds so that soft loans can be accessed by students who have perfected their skills and determined to start their own businesses.